SHARON CHARBONEAU's (upstager) Blog

There was a time when we heard the phrase, CAVEAT EMPTOR, a fair bit.  I cannot recall when that may have been; however after reading a post under the realtor section about unethical behaviour, this phrase came to mind.  I added my thoughts to the blog and then considered it was a good topic gene...

Home stagers know a kitchen in a house for sale is one of the rooms which must impress potential buyers. When I walked into this kitchen, I knew it needed more than just staging to be the kitchen that buyers could imagine themselves cooking and eating in.  kitchen counters: the dated orange lamin...

  This ensuite bathroom had the basics in place, a lovely deep tub, a separate shower, a new lowflush toilet - however the vanity was in sad shape and the gaudy wallpaper had to go! BEFORE   Gone is the dated wallpaper.  The colour scheme came from the tub and the lovely valance I got from Arbutu...

I am writing this from the deck off the breakfast room of our charming hotel in Santiago.  It is so hot, I am crammed into a corner at the back of the deck for shade and my computer keys are hot to the touch.  It is only their spring: I cannot imagine what their summers are like! If anyone out th...

  YOU ARE PLANNING TO SELL YOUR HOUSE - MAYBE THIS IS A POSITIVE CHOICE MADE VOLUNTARILY TO DOWNSIZE OR GET A LARGER HOME; OR YOU ARE MOVING TO A NEW PROVINCE OR STATE DUE TO A TRANSFER OR TO BE CLOSER TO FAMILY.....OR THE HOUSE SALE MAY BE THE RESULT OF A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, A PENDING DIVORCE, ...

THIS WAS A SIMPLE CHANGE I MADE IN THE OWNER'S KITCHEN CABINET AS I WAS SEARCHING FOR TREASURES TO USE IN OTHER ROOMS. NOT BEING A FAN OF SAME BESIDE SAME, I LOOKED FOR SOMETHING TO MAKE THESE BEAUTIFUL DISHES POP   I DIDN'T HAVE TO LOOK FAR AT ALL TO FIND PIECES TO WORK WITH THESE DISHES AND GIV...

WHEN WE WALKED INTO THIS TOWNHOME AND LOOKED AROUND AT THE OWNER'S FURNISHINGS, PAINT COLOURS AND ART WORK, WE WERE NOT SURE WHAT CHANGES WERE NECESSARY. HOWEVER, IF SOMEONE WANTS A NEW LOOK THAT IS WHY THEY CALL US, SO WE WENT TO WORK TO CREATE A NEW LOOK FOR HER. THE WALL COLOURS ARE VERY COLOU...

LAST WEEK I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO WORK WITH COLLEAGUES ON A RE-DESIGN FOR A HOME IN THE BRITISH PROPERTIES OF WEST VANCOUVER.  THE HOMEOWNER WANTED HELP WITH CREATING A MORE COMFORTABLE FEELING AND LOOK, AS WELL AS SELECTING AND HANGING PHOTOS & ART WORK. WHEN WE FIRST WALKED IN WE WERE ALL THINKIN...

It is a beautiful Fall day on the Sunshine Coast as we celebrate our Thanksgiving weekend.   This is a photo of the pier in Davis Bay, BC  where I live and where my boutique is located.   In fact this view is across the water from the Mosaic Market where Ooh La La! is located. I have just sent ou...

Realtors, this is an excellent read for those of you who who remain unpersuaded with the value of home staging. Instead of price reductions, think staging.Dear Mr. Seller, You contacted my company 3 months ago and requested a staging proposal for your home.  It's in a premier Portland neighborhoo...