A Maple Grove dining room gets a makeover

Star Tribune

Before: Tablecloth and rug were hiding best features

Last update: February 12, 2009 - 3:09 PM

What works: The room has good proportions, neutral walls and shiny hardwood floors.

What doesn't: A tablecloth and a rug were covering up some of the space's positive aspects.

Analysis: "I don't think sellers realize how distracting those little things can be for a potential buyer," said Lori Matzke of Centerstagehome.com. "You need to think like a buyer -- what's going to actually sell the house? The area rug or those hardwood floors?"

MATZKE'S IMPROVEMENTS

1. A tablecloth that drew too much attention to the table and a dried tabletop arrangement that blocked views into the attached hallway were boxed up and stored.

2. Heavy drapes (not shown) were removed to let more natural light into the room.

3. The area rug was removed to show off the hardwood floors. Staging tip: Although the wood floors had faded around the rug, Matzke was able to soften the contrast by mopping the floor with 2 gallons of lukewarm water and 1 cup of white vinegar, then letting it breathe for a few days.

4. To make the room feel larger, two leaves in the table were removed and two chairs were moved out.

5. Moving the buffet to the far wall makes the space feel balanced and more proportional.

6. The picture above the buffet was moved down several inches to make the ceilings feel higher.

7. A large plant was cleaned and moved to a corner near the windows to add color and to give the room a vertical element.

Recent Homes: Sell stories

The space: A small bedroom in a 1950s rambler - February 12, 2009

The space: A small bedroom in a 1950s rambler - The small secondary bedroom in the south Minneapolis rambler was being used as an office and a bedroom. More

He can't fix it, flip it or even own it? - February 12, 2009

He can't fix it, flip it or even own it? - Be careful about buying a fixer-upper in St. Paul. An ordinance says you might not be able to buy it unless it's already been fixed. More