Staging Places Blog

Lofty Ideas

I recently staged a penthouse loft condo in a gorgeous revamped factory building in downtown Detroit. I have worked with the owners before so I knew they were open to new ideas. With this project they allowed me the freedom to think out of the box. really used my imagination and had fun with the space. I was hired before the kitchen and bath were even installed which gave me a rare chance to see things come together from the start. With loft spaces, people expect things to be out of the ordinary as far as the decorating and use of the space. Usually they are very open and one large room must meet several needs. I knew I had to come up with unique ideas while keeping in mind that the space needed to be livable. I spent hours going over pictures of the space and trips there to make sure my plans would work. There are one or two things I think worked out especially well. I created a cool computer station using a vintage cherry-picking ladder that I painted green and attached a wide shelf to, just enough space for a lamp and a laptop. The loft space was the perfect home for something like this because of the 14-foot ceilings. I was also able create several art pieces using the colors of the space. It was pretty easy once I got into it and I think they added a modern, custom feel. With huge ceilings and open spaces, finding furniture with the right scale can be tricky. I had fun searching for oversized artwork and creating different looks in each of the 3 bedrooms. I chose to do the bare minimum in the kitchen because the owners wanted to show off the granite countertops and appliances. The loft space came together perfectly and everyone was very pleased. Having the opportunity to work on spaces like this makes all the long hours and frustration of running your own business worth it. I can’t wait for the next project!

©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz

Design Lessons From Junk mail?

It all started with a catalog; I was looking through one and came across a picture of a hutch that had the interior shelves painted a beautiful blue hue. I loved the look and immediately thought of some built-in shelves in my living room. They were a dull white and could definitely use a shot of color. I decided to recreate the catalog picture. As I eyed the bookshelf I couldn’t help but notice the large window next to it. I knew I didn’t want to block the view but a simple panel of color would sure dress it up. I tore out the picture from the catalog and made my way to the fabric store. After finding the perfect fabric based on the color in the picture, I stopped at the paint store and had them computer match it to the fabric. I was so excited I emptied the shelves and began painting the built-ins as soon as I walked in the door. Unfortunately, as I applied my third coat of paint I realized the fabric looked much lighter than the shelves. It dawned on me that since the shelves had no natural light to speak of, the paint color showed up about 3 shades darker than the fabric, next to the window. Lesson learned (go a few shades lighter than fabric for built in shelves) I added some white paint left over from another project and was able to achieve the right shade. My mom, being the wonderful seamstress that she is, was able to whip up 2 curtain panels for the picture window. The project took approximately 6 hours (even with the paint fiasco) and I am much happier with the way the living room looks.

Catalogs are a great source for design inspiration. I love flipping through the high end ones to see how they create the perfect room. I feel no guilt when I steal the ideas and make them my own for a fraction of the cost. To me these catalogs are wonderful lessons on how to use color, arrange accessories and create a room that feels like it should be in a magazine. I was reading the Saturday paper and skipped right to the Homestyle section like I always do to read Doctor Décor www.detnews.com/homestyle Barbara Kibitz who writes the column, always has fresh ideas and good advice. I was thrilled to see that she dedicated a whole column to the Pottery Barn catalog and the design work that goes into creating the rooms. I love the fact that a professional Interior Designer is not afraid to tell the general public to look for inspiration in what some people would consider junk mail. I have received the pottery Barn catalog for years and have a whole binder filled with pages from past seasons. They do such a fabulous job of juxtaposing new and old to create beautifully eclectic spaces. The wonderful part is that most of the things they use are readily available so they can be recreated fairly easily. Another catalog I love to borrow ideas from is Horchow. I do not have the budget to purchase anything from their pages, but I have the time and creativity to create a similar look if I see something I like. Whenever I am stuck for an idea or just need some inspiration, I find that catalogs give me a quick fix. The time and effort the designers or visual merchandisers put in to the pages of decorating catalogs is amazing. Next time you are stuck for an idea, pull out a catalog or two, you won’t be sorry.

©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz

Pleasing Patterns

When I design a room I always look for an inspiration piece. This usually comes from a fabric or piece of artwork. It is amazing how one piece can be complimented or built upon to create an entire room. Patterns can be a great basis for the color scheme in a room but they can also add an unexpected texture as well. The general idea of a pattern is that you can take an object and repeat it to create a pattern. I love to find ways to subtly incorporate the same pattern throughout a room. Even built in shelves full of books in an otherwise sparse room can be seen as a pattern. You just have to look with new eyes to see it.

I think the best compliment is when a person has been in the space several times before they “discover” something new. This shows me that I have achieved my goal of creating an exciting room that offers more than surface interest. If a person happens to notice something new each time they enter, they will enjoy the space more. I love the idea that a room will slowly give up its secrets to a person who is observant enough to pay attention.

The grain of a wood floor, bricks on a fireplace hearth or the grid in a picture window are good examples of patterns that are usually fixtures in a room. These can be incorporated into a decorating plan for pleasing results.
Patterns are a great way to pull a room together without using the same piece of fabric or color throughout the room. For example; a picture of a vase with flowers can easily be complimented with floral fabric, but why not think out of the box and look more at the shape of the flowers than the flowers themselves? Are they in true form such as black and white photography or hand painted with a touch of contemporary flare? If each stem has a round center, pull out the shape of a circle and incorporate that into a pattern on a throw pillow or curtains. Is the flower vase curvy or rectangular? How can this be repeated in the room? Why not find a rug with a curvy design or a lamp that seems to have the same lines as the vase?

The more often the pattern is repeated the more pronounced it becomes. A room can quickly become overwhelming when the same stripe or gingham pattern is seen on the furniture, windows, and floors. Many designers create very dramatic rooms by repeating the same bold pattern, but I have a feeling it would be hard to spend much time in these spaces! The easiest way to incorporate more than one pattern into a room is by making sure the colors of each pattern are the same. Plaids and stripes can easily be paired with a floral as long as they incorporate the same colors. If you are using more than one pattern, there should be one dominant pattern while the others are more background. You can accomplish this by making the dominate pattern larger or using it more throughout the room. There are different types of patterns, which are traditionally used in rooms that have a certain style interior. Historical rooms may not always lend themselves to a bold geometric pattern while needlepoint or toile could look out of place in a modern loft. This is not to say that these patterns would never work, it just takes a certain flare to pull them off.

The size of the room should dictate how many different patterns you use in your design. Small to medium rooms work well with no more than three patterns while large rooms can accommodate up to five. Using more than five patterns in the same room can be overwhelming and confusing.

No matter how you design a room, the patterns you choose can most definitely make the difference in a successful design.

©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz

How to Stage A Vacant House

When a house is on the market, presentation is extremely important. Once a buyer gets past the curb, the interior of the home must win them over immediately. It is much harder to evoke feelings of warmth and sophistication when the property is vacant. Buyers not only look at a house with their eyes but also with their heart. In order for a property to be appealing all the best features of the home need to be highlighted. The average buyer has a plethora of homes to choose from. This makes it imperative for sellers to do what they can to make their property stand out above the rest.

In the Michigan market, many homeowners are leaving the state to find work before they have the chance to sell their home. This causes a potential problem. When a house is left vacant, every flaw is obvious and the space as a whole, does not usually feel warm and inviting. Buyers spend much less time in the property because there is really nothing to draw them into the rooms, and if a buyer does not walk in and look in every room, it is not likely they are going to purchase that property. With the market as hard as it is in our area right now, buyers know they have the upper hand and tend to become much more fastidious in the qualities they are looking for in a home.

A vacant property can be turned into a welcoming home by concentrating on the “important spaces”. When I say this I am referring to the spaces that will make the buyer want to purchase this home instead of the one up the block. These usually consist of the formal living room, kitchen, family room, and master suite. Staging should focus a buyer’s attention on the positive aspects of a home. A fireplace needs to have a piece of artwork or some eye-catching accessory on the mantle. A set of chairs facing the fireplace will definitely cause a buyer to pause and take a closer look at the room. Great views should be shown off with drapes, as long as they do not cover the window. Counter space can be accented with a decorative plate or set of canisters. Buyers love the thought of having a family room, so placing a cozy chair with a table and lamp by the window is a nice way to give the feeling of home. I feel very strongly that master bedrooms should have a bed in them. Preferably, queen size with bedding. This will allow buyers to quickly assess how their bed will fit in the room as well as add drama to pull them into the space. Vacant properties do not have to have a piece of furniture in every room as long as the features of the home are shown in the best light. Be aware though, that throwing a folding chair and an old lamp into a room will not entice buyers to enter. The furniture selected must look and feel like it belongs in the home or it will just look like a bad staging job.

There are a few options when it comes to finding furniture and accessories to stage a vacant property. If a seller has not made the move yet, instead of selling, or donating the furnishings they do not want to take with them, they should look around the house and see how to use these pieces to showcase the home. Friends and family are great resources for extra items to borrow. Renting furniture is an option but can be expensive and usually means a minimum of 6 months commitment for the homeowner. If a seller would rather not deal with the hassle of schlepping furniture from the house once it sells or spend the time to track down pieces that will work for the space; the best option is to hire a professional. Home Stagers make it their business to find the perfect furniture and accessories to complement the feel and style of each home. Most will have accessories and art available to rent and may receive discounts at local furniture rental places. They are experts in the field of preparing properties to go on the market and know the best way to showcase each feature of the home without spending unneeded time and money to do it. Staging is quickly becoming the norm in the Real estate industry.

Selling a home in this market is not easy. Selling a vacant property is even harder. The average buyer does not take the time to imagine how a space will look and how their things will work, if there is nothing to compare it to. Sellers must take the initiative to prepare their property in order get those offers!

©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz

Lady of Leisure

It was evident at first glance that Abby enjoyed crafts. At 87 she was an accomplished artist painting in mediums ranging from oil and pastels to fine china. She loved to knit and sew as well as craft the occasional sun catcher for her windows. Her home of 50 years was full of her art as well as all the supplies that go along with each of these hobbies. She was very proud of the fact that her mother had been an artist. She still had several of her paintings from her. They were tucked away in a closet waiting to be reframed so she could display them on her wall. She even had the frames to do it; she just hadn’t found the time or energy. As we walked through her home, one more thing became evident. Abby was a collector. Not of fine art or antiques although she had plenty of these things. No, Abby collected stuff. Anything from old newspapers, she insisted she would get to those crosswords someday, to ripped grocery bags and broken butter containers. When she was asked why she felt she wanted to save things it was always a similar response. She needed them. She assured us that as young people we didn’t understand the value of a dollar because we had been handed things all our lives. She lived through hard times and was not about to throw out perfectly good items that could be reused.

As a Stager, walking into Abby’s home, I was in awe of the sheer magnitude of the things she had crammed into her modest home. It was hard to get through the front door without stepping on some object or another that had been set aside for later. Magazines, junk mail, old games, plastic containers, these things were set on top of or around cardboard boxes stacked up to shoulder height. Each box was full of things she felt were important such as outdated newspaper articles, extra dishes and old birthday cards. There didn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to how things were stored although Abby assured us she knew were everything was.

Abby had dreamed of the day when she could move to a senior community. She told us with excitement, about the Bingo games within walking distance and art classes that she would take. She couldn’t wait to meet people her own age and decorate her new place. She had so many hopes for the future but her things were literally keeping her from moving on with her life.

Her house had been on the market for over a year. Abby was on her 3rd Realtor and couldn’t understand why he wanted her to lower the price. She was sure her home was worth more than the asking price. What she didn’t understand is that buyers were unwilling or unable to see past all of her stuff.

We knew we had our work cut out for us. Not only did we need to clear out and stage the entire property, we had to find a way to do it without making Abby feel like we were invading and taking over her space. At Abby’s age she tired easily and didn’t like to be told what to do. This was her house and she was in charge!

Luckily, I was one of 5 Stagers on the project. We discovered very quickly that Abby loved to talk. Every object we picked up had a story and she wanted to tell it. She also found it extremely difficult to just sit back and let us do our job. We decided the best plan was to have one or two stagers work with her on certain projects such as organizing her desk. The rest of the team would do general clear out.

The head Stager had met with Abby’s family before we began the staging. She was told that Abby was unwilling to part with anything and they would support her in this. Although it was hard as a professional to just pack things away without doing at least a little purging, we knew we had to respect Abby’s wishes. The overall goal was not to help Abby downsize, but to get the property ready to be sold. Packing supplies were purchased and we set to work. Every room was filled to maximum capacity with boxes, furniture, and odds and ends. Things that most people would discard such as broken birdhouses, or puzzles with missing pieces, we neatly packed and labeled. One box especially stands out in my mind. It was filled with old newspaper articles, mugs with broken handles, a mate-less bedroom slipper, and a doll with no hair and only one arm. The fact that Abby refused to let things like this go made me realize that you can’t always understand why people do things. It was not our place to judge, but instead to help Abbey reach her ultimate goal of selling her house.

As the hours passed I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Abby’s family once she was gone. They would have so much work. It would take weeks to go through all of this stuff. Abby assured us that, once she was in her new place, she would go through everything. I had a feeling it would never happen. The best we could do was store the items we felt she would need in her new space in an area that she could easily access. Everything else was boxed up and compiled into a list so when she was ready she would know what was stored where.

At the end of each day we were all exhausted but we knew if we didn’t help this woman get her house in a presentable condition it would never sell for the price she was asking. Since the house had been on the market previously without an offer, we knew buyers were not taking the time to even consider asking less. It was time for drastic measures. It took 5 Stagers 30 hours to clear out her 3-bedroom home. A storage unit was rented and half the garage was filled with boxes of her things.
Finally, we could get down to the staging! We surprised Abby by pulling out some of her mother’s artwork to display in her living room. Unfortunately because of the way she had stored the pieces, several of them had developed mold spots. Those of course, were carefully packed away for her. We enjoyed helping her display her painted china and her own artwork that she was so proud of. I was amazed at the transformation the space had made in a matter of days. Instead of having to maneuver around boxes and piles of stuff in order to see the property, buyers would now see a spacious, clean home. It would be known as the house with the large rooms and beautiful kitchen rather than the place with all the “junk”.

Abby, very quickly, became used to having so many people around to help her. We made the extra effort to get her lunch, start some laundry, and scrub her bathrooms and floors. These things we did out of the goodness of our hearts, and because we knew there was no one else that would. I wondered as the days past how many elderly people out there are in a similar situation? They may not have family that can or will help. Things easily become overwhelming.

Meeting Abby helped me to see that working with seniors requires an extra effort and gentle touch on the part of the stager. You can’t go in expecting to work your magic in a matter of days. These people have special needs and issues that take care and understanding to work through. They have a wish to feel useful and want to make the decisions regarding their things. It is often scary to think of moving to a new place especially if they have been in the existing home for a number of years. Since this experience, I have worked with other seniors. While no situation has been as dramatic as this, some have had physical or emotional challenges to overcome. I find that I take more care in explaining the processes as well as helping them make the best choices for their situation. This allows them to focus on the future rather than dwell on the past.

©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz

The Dandelion Queen

I can't help but smile, as I watch my daughter flit through the yard. She is daintily tip-toeing from one yellow dandelion to another singing a spring song that she makes up as she goes along. The birds in the trees, inspired by her voice are crooning their own tune. She carries a fist full of golden flowers adding to it with each step. Delicately, she picks one, as if it were a perfect rose made just for her. These weeds, as some would call them, are no less than a miracle in her world of childhood. She has been making it a daily ritual to pick "her flowers," as she calls them. The fruits of her labor are scattered through out our home. They look just as sweet in a crystal vase as they do in a chipped teacup. Not because the flowers are a thing of beauty but because they were gathered with love and given from the heart. Although it has been more years than I care to admit, I too had a fondness for these little orbs of sunshine.

Some of my sweetest summer memories are of waking up to discover the lawn of my childhood home dotted with hundreds of golden gems, as if they were created over night for my pleasure. I spent endless hours collecting enough to make into necklaces and crowns so I could be the queen of dandelions. My excitement grew as the days passed and they turned from yellow dots to little white clouds. After making a wish, I would blow as hard as I could thinking all the little seeds were flying away to make it come true. A neighbor even showed me how to fry dandelions in a pan. I can't say I enjoyed the taste but I was amused.

I listen with regret as my husband outlines his plan to do away with the dandelions. He, like most homeowners that tend their lawns, considers them an eyesore. Weeds, that if left to grow will spread like wildfire. When did the world turn against dandelions? Is it a mindset that happens as we mature? Anything that we did not choose to plant is considered a nuisance and deserves our wrath? The grown up world thrives on order and routine. There is no room; it seems, for a little unexpected beauty. What if we were to add dandelions to our gardens making them something to admire and enjoy? Perhaps farmers could have fields of dandelions similar to sunflower fields, using the plants for their many benefits. These modest flowers really do have a lot more worth than most gardeners give them credit for. Dandelions can be used to make salads, jam and even wine. The milk held in each hollow stem is said to be an insect repellent and even a wart remover. Why would such a handy little flower be considered an adversary to be stamped out and destroyed?

I would love to help rid dandelions of their bad reputation. If not for myself then for my daughter and all children who love these special flowers. I consider dandelion picking a rite of childhood that should be encouraged and celebrated. Preserving something so simple may seem unimportant but childhood is such a fleeting time in one's life, I feel it is a worthy cause. Birthday parties and holiday celebrations meld and blur until they become one intertwined recollection. It's the small, quiet memories that stay with us and shape our lives. The next time you pass a yard scattered with bright yellow dots, try not to think of them as an eyesore. Remember, beauty is in the eye of the dandelion holder.

©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz

Forgotten Treasures

As I made my way to the lower level of a house I was helping stage, my eye immediately went to the corner of a blue and white damask sofa in the back of the basement. It was covered with a worn blanket and looked as if the only use it had was a cat bed. I made my way around forty years worth of stuff to peak under the cover. My heart skipped a beat as I realized it was in near perfect condition. I felt sorry for the old piece of furniture, banished to the basement to finish out its days in the dark and gloom. This sofa deserved better surroundings than plumbing pipes and cinder block walls. A glamorous piece like this should live in an elegant Paris apartment flanked by crystal wall sconces and stuffy portraits of old men.
How I wanted to rescue this treasure! I imagined driving home; it perched on the roof of my mini van like a large fabric trophy.

Most of my life I have had a tendency to cart abandoned pieces of furniture home, as if they were stray animals. I find it hard to pass up a lonely chair on the corner, or a worn but still functional table at a yard sale. It gives me a thrill to recreate them with wood glue and a fresh coat of paint. When I was furnishing my first home, those cast off pieces were a great way to decorate with little or no money. Traditional chairs and outdated tables were always more fun with a bright color or new fabric. It was a challenge to see what I could make of something that others thought had worn out its usefulness. For years, white has been the color of choice when updating wood furniture. Lately, I am noticing that black seems to be just as popular, along with the more daring colors like red or robins egg blue.

I love the fact that most trends tend to come back in style at some point. Designers have a treasure trove of past styles for inspiration. The best part is that each time they are recreated they have a fresh new look. Spring seems to be the time of year to breathe new life into old things. Damask fabric is quickly coming back in vogue for home décor. Once known as the fabric of royalty, it was first produced in China, Persia, India, and Syria. As it became more affordable in the 1920’s its popularity soared. The pattern can be almost anything but will always have a raised design and is reversible. The more traditional muted colors used in the damask of yesteryear are still available for a more formal look. Designers are also adding an element of fun and casualness with bolder colors. At the same time, retaining the traditional patterns. This spring, you will see it everywhere. In bedding, wallpaper, fabric, and even lampshades. While I would not suggest you recover your sofa with damask fabric, you certainly could add some great pillows to showcase this hot trend. My favorite is the black and white floral pattern. It would bring a fresh look to a neutral living room or add romantic drama to a bedroom. Target has many choices in this color and pattern. Try adding a bold red and white damask shower curtain, found at wrapables.com, for an entirely new look in your bath. A fairly neutral damask rug from bedbathstore.com would work wonders for a sun porch or family room.

Looking for some cool artwork? Frame a piece of damask fabric or wallpaper. You could probably even find wrapping paper if you looked hard enough. A metal frame would give it a modern edge while an ornate gold frame would be a great homage to the Hollywood glamour of long ago.
Spring is the time to give your space a shot of life. Keep an eye out for the unexpected treasure. Remember the wonders fresh paint and fabric can do. Who knows, you may even find yourself driving a little slower the next time you pass a forlorn chair on the curb.

©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz

Thoughts of Spring

As I sat in my chair by the fire enjoying the shadows of light dancing on the wall, I was jolted back to reality when my eye caught the sight of a small spider in the corner of the ceiling. It seemed to be busy making a home just above the bookcase. I personally don’t mind spiders but the thought of them taking up residence in my home is more than I can take. As I watched it spin a little web, my mind turned to the thought of caring for my own home. Spring will be here before we know it and along with it the task of Spring-cleaning. Part of me (admittedly, a small part) is even looking forward to the cleaning that comes along with the warmer weather.
In the “good old days” Spring-cleaning was a family event that took at least a week and meant scrubbing the home from top to bottom. With modern conveniences, it doesn’t take nearly as long. Not everyone is enthralled with the idea of spending time doing extra chores so I thought I would pass along a few tips to make it easier.

• Decide what to clean. There is a difference between tidy and clean. Sometimes homes need more than a quick dusting and vacuuming. Choose a few projects and make a to do list so you stay focused. Don’t feel guilty if you can’t get to everything. Certain things like washing the exterior of the house or cleaning the carpets can be hired out so you can concentrate on other tasks.

• Make sure you have everything before you start. Once you know what you will be cleaning, you can collect all the supplies.

• Get everyone involved. Even young children can help go through their winter clothes or flip the mattress. It may take a little longer, but you will be instilling good qualities in your kids and teaching them to care for their environment. Don’t think you will get anything done with them under foot?

• Ask a friend to pitch in at your house in exchange for doing the same at hers. A Saturday afternoon cleaning a friend’s house is worth the companionship you will get when you clean yours. Order a pizza and make it a party. Just remember to get through that checklist so the day is not spent talking instead of cleaning!

• Listen to music. Turn on the same station in every room that has a radio or blast some of your favorite CD’s. This is a great time to practice for that karaoke night you have been planning.

• Take lots of short breaks. Cleaning is hard work. If you try to work straight through you will tire a lot quicker. Keep breaks to about five minutes every half an hour. Be aware, any longer and you will not want to get up!

• Don’t watch TV. I can’t tell you how many times I have said, “I’ll clean during commercials” it never happens. A whole hour goes by and I haven’t even started.

• Delegate. If your family is unwilling or unable to set aside time to pitch in, give each member of the household a job. Make sure they know when you expect it to be completed and stick to it. The end result will be the same although it may take longer to accomplish.

• Start with the fun stuff. Okay, so cleaning is not exactly at the top of most peoples fun list. There are certainly things I don’t cringe at doing as much as others. I will run to scrub the bathtubs before stepping foot in the attic to replace the burnt out bulb. If you complete the less horrible tasks first you, will be a lot further along than if you start with the worst. You may enjoy yourself more too.

• Work outside when the weather is nice. No one wants to be stuck in doors on a beautiful spring day. If you must stay in at least open the windows to rid the house of all the stale air from the winter months.

• Set a time limit. Don’t try to take on too much at once or you will burn yourself out. Two hours is probably more than enough time to get a good start on spring-cleaning.

• Take pride in your work. If you go at the task determined to enjoy the simple acts of washing windows and dusting bookcases you may find that you actually enjoy the quiet work of caring for your home and creating an environment you can be proud of.

I would like to say that the little spider was left to finish its home or that we were astonished to discover it was a distant relative of Charlotte and began spinning cute little sayings along our wall. Unfortunately, this is reality and I wanted to get a jump-start on my Spring-cleaning.

©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz

Teddy Bear Hearts

Reprint of an essay that I wrote after volunteering to help stage the Children’s home of Detroit. It was published in the Special edition of the ASP newsletter. I also read this at the 2006 International Symposium.

It was a wet and dreary Saturday. I was having second thoughts about my decision to volunteer what little free time I had. The idea of helping fellow stagers dress a children’s home for Worldwide Staging Services day was a worthy cause, but after staying up half the night with my three year old and waking before the sun with my baby, I was spent before the day began. Really what difference would it make if one person didn’t follow through?

My conscience got the better of me so I reluctantly drove to the meeting place. Some of the other women were already there. We helped ourselves to donuts and coffee, which seemed to lift my mood. The rain stopped as the last of the group arrived.

Excitement began to build when everyone unveiled their bedding choices for the young girls that we were helping. To our surprise, all of the bedding coordinated. This bunch had good taste!

As we entered the cottage, sweet little faces began to peek out here and there. The girls, who ranged in age from eight to twelve, were obviously thrilled that we were coming to beautify their rooms.

The existing bedding in this home must have at one time been cheerful, but it had definitely seen better days. We arrived just in time! Our group broke up into teams and set to work. I was touched at all the little treasures each girl had collected and lovingly gathered on her own desk in the rooms. I saw simple things like hair bands, pencils, and half a stick of gum, saved for a later day. When I looked closer I noticed things that I couldn’t understand at first, such as a small statue of a woman that was missing its head. Then it dawned on me that these children have so little, something I would simply discard if broken, they still cherished and kept safe. I began to realize that it wasn’t just a charity event I was volunteering for, but a chance to help someone in need.

While we were busy staging, one of our group had generously offered to host a teddy bear party for the girls to keep them occupied until the unveiling. I took a short break to peek in at the children and see how their toy stuffing was going. As I looked across the room I noticed a young girl off away from the group. She sat staring in to the distance. The sadness in her eyes was overwhelming. Why wasn’t she joining in the fun? As I turned to go I heard one of her counselors ask her if she wanted to whisper into the little felt heart that each bear received. She was told it could hold her hopes and dreams for her. I saw her face as she thought about this and simply replied, “Teddy Bears don’t have hearts.” How sad it is for one so young to have had experiences in her life to cause her to think this way. My throat began to close as I walked back up those stairs. Who was I to think that giving a child new bedding would change anything? I was discouraged but set back to work. After all we had to finish the job we started.

Finally, the rooms were perfect. All beds were dressed beautifully and each room was bright and cheery. The girls were called to see what we had done. There was a burst of excitement as they ran upstairs; I was reminded of Christmas morning. It was astonishing to see them discussing the colors and patterns of each bed. Amusingly, they began to trade accessories and such with each other. It was exhilarating to watch them take the fundamentals that we had given them and add their own personalities to it.

As we looked on, the small girl that seemed so withdrawn approached and asked who had dressed her bed. I stepped forward and told her that I had been the one. My mind began to race and my confidence quickly diminished. What if she didn’t like it? Did I unintentionally move something that I shouldn’t have?

As I racked my brain to try and figure out what I had done, she timidly walked toward me and wrapped her arms around my waist. I didn’t know what to say as she quietly said thank you and walked away. Her counselor turned to me and said. “I haven’t seen her hug anyone. She just doesn’t do that”. Right then and there I knew that these girls had given me much more then I had given them.

What if I hadn’t followed through and simply said I was too tired or too busy. Someone else might have taken my place, but I would have missed out on such an astonishing learning experience. I arrived that day thinking I was helping to provide a group of children with new bedding. Instead, they gave me a new outlook on life.

As I look back on that day, I think of the child that spoke the words “Teddy bears don’t have hearts.” While giving her a new room might not change her mind-set, letting her know that someone cares about her certainly will. The world is a cold place sometimes. I’m so glad that I had the chance to help wrap this child in love, at least for a short while. Teddy bears may not have hearts in her world but I would like her to see that there are people around her that do. If I could just whisper my hopes and dreams into this child’s heart I would want her to see a world of beauty and love. She certainly helped me see it.

©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz

Wonderful Opportunities for Women

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being invited to attend a WOW luncheon in Farmington Hills. The group Wonderful Opportunities for Women or WOW is a fairly new undertaking by some local businesswomen. The idea is to offer monthly meetings for women business owners, professionals, and executives to have the opportunity to meet, network and learn from each other in a noncompetitive atmosphere. There is no obligation to attend every meeting, the best part for me is that there is no fee to join the group. As a fairly new business owner I am bombarded with offers to join networking or business groups in order to connect with other professionals. I only have so much time and money to invest in these groups. WOW simply asks that you RSVP the luncheon you would like to attend and pay $25.00 to cover the event.

The speaker at the luncheon was Cheryl Chodun from WXYZ Channel 7 News. She was a wonderful speaker. I found her words of encouragement and her personal stories inspiring. She didn’t merely speak about her career and her success, although that was a part of it. She focused more about her experience in the work place as a woman and decisions she has made that either helped her or hindered her. She was funny and optimistic. I love the fact that even though I was one of over 40 women, and was not in a similar career, I could relate to what she was saying, and the message she was trying to convey. No matter what you try to achieve in your career and you life, confidence, honestly, and respect will get you a lot further than stepping on those around you to get to the top. She told us to “Never take no for answer” when you want something, at the same time keeping in mind that there are nice ways to go about getting it!

I really think this group of ladies is on to something with WOW. I know I will definitely attend the next luncheon February 21st. It is being held at the Cherry Creek Country Club in Shelby Township. If you would like more information you can email wowlunch@wowway.com.

©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz