Accentuate the positive

Star Tribune

BEFORE

Last update: March 12, 2009 - 4:36 PM

This well-proportioned family room in an Eden Prairie house is connected to a large eat-in kitchen and has wood floors, a vaulted ceiling and a wood-burning fireplace. The room seemed smaller than it is because of too much stuff, a distraction from the room's positive features. "Your attention went directly to the bookcase as soon as you walked in the room," said Lori Matzke of Centerstagehome.com. "Our goal was to pull the buyer's eye through the space and immediately play up the positive selling points." Here's how Matzke enhanced the room's positive features:

1. Contents of the bookcase were boxed up to give the homeowners a jump-start on their upcoming move, and the bookcase was moved to the living room, which needed extra furnishings.

2. The family room's area rug was replaced with a larger one from the kitchen that fits the space better.

3. Positioning the sofa on center with the windows creates a more proportionate layout and leaves space on the perimeter that makes the room feel larger.

4. Hanging an oversized mirror above the fireplace makes the room feel brighter by reflecting more light into the space.

5. Greens help draw attention to the fireplace.

6. A large entertainment center (not shown) was decluttered and centered on the sofa.

7. For better balance, an antique chest that had been pushed into a far corner was repositioned near the entrance.

8. Bright greens atop the chest help frame the view into the room.

9. A silk fern on a side table at the far end of the room helps draw attention through the entire length of the space.

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