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Holiday 2020

 

I am sure most of you can't wait to put 2020 behind you. This holiday season will be unlike anything we've experienced . We may not be spending it with friends and family as we have before.  That's probably the safest thing to do anyway.

In looking back at trends in real estate and home design that developed over the last several months, we have read that because of working and schooling from home, more and more people are desiring outdoor space whether in the form of a terrace in the city or a backyard in the suburbs.  They are also seeking more space, now that more people are at home.  They are looking for closed off rooms, not open floor plans.  Of course, spaces that can become a home office are in demand.  See the article below about home design trends for 2021.

We recently staged the living and dining area of a 3 bedroom apartment on the Upper East Side that has an additional space that could be used as a home office. The building also has a private park that can be enjoyed even in the winter just to escape the confines of the apartment.  Check out the Testimonial and Featured Staging articles below. 

In closing, I wish all of you a healthy and happy Holiday and New Year.  Stay safe.  See you in 2021. 

Warm Regards, 

Donna M. Dazzo, President
Designed To Appeal
 
In This Issue
Testimonial
Featured Staging
Top 10 2021 Home Design Predictions
Market Overview: New York, NY
 
TestimonialTestimonial


"I was at the apartment today doing photography and the owner came in just to pick up the mail. I think I speak for both of us when I say that you did a wonderful job and the staged areas look fabulous! In the living room you accomplished exactly what we wanted to accomplish, which is to show buyers that the space can accommodate both an elegant living room arrangement as well as a functional dining room space! Thanks again."


 Marie Schmon, Corcoran, New York, NY
 
 
Featured Staging

$2.195M 3 Bedroom/2 Bath Condo
Upper East Side

This spacious three bedroom apartment plus Home Office, with private park views from all windows, was recently listed for an amazing price! We staged the living room with dining area to show buyers how they can relax and enjoy the space. 

Carnegie Park, whose interiors and amenities were designed by Robert A. M. Stern, has an extensive service and amenity collection which includes a 24/7 attended lobby with doorman and concierge, three-lane swimming pool opening onto a half-acre private park, state-of-the-art fitness and yoga center, imaginative kid's playroom, rooftop sun terrace, and elegant entertainment lounge.

It's also very close to the Q line and Lexington Avenue trains, the NYC Ferry to downtown, Central and Carl Schurz Parks, and the Guggenheim, Jewish, and Metropolitan museums.



 


 



 

 

 
StagingStatistics
Top10HomeDesignTop 10 Home Design Predictions for 2021


Houzz has released its 2021 Home Design Predictions and states that the once sought-after open floor plan is likely to be phased out in the year to come.

Here are its Top 10 Home Design Predictions for 2021:

1. The Multi-Zone Kitchen


 Staging by Designed to Appeal
  
Many homeowners want their kitchens to emphasize a variety of tasks and allow for other cooks as well. In response, homeowners are working with designers on Houzz to add more touch points to that triangle shape and create a "work trapezoid" that might include dedicated areas for baking, prepping and chopping, or separate stations for snacks, drinks or homework.

2. Stylish Sconce Lighting
  
Homeowners on Houzz are showing interest in swing-arm and other sconce fixtures, which can add some adornment while providing needed task lighting around a sink or range.

3. The Rejuvenating Bathroom
  
Two in five homeowners (41%) who renovated a master bathroom say they rely on their new space for rest and relaxation, according to the recent 2020 Houzz Bathroom Trends Study. Besides a soak in the tub or a long hot shower, some homeowners are rejuvenating with steam showers, aromatherapy shower heads and bathtub fillers that can hold a cup of tea or glass of wine.


Staging by Designed to Appeal

4. Oversize Rectangle Tile
  
Fewer grout lines means less cleaning and less visual clutter. Plus, the large-format tile can help visually expand a small space. We're seeing large tiles used in a variety of classic patterns, such as herringbone, stacked and brick.

5. Browns and Beiges Bounce Back


 Staging by Designed to Appeal
  
A trend that came up again and again was a renewed interest in shades of brown. Warm taupes, beiges, sands - basically any earth tone is surging in popularity. Some designers say the trend is an evolution from popular whites and grays of recent years, and that brown as an accent color works well to bring warmth to a palette heavy with those colors.

6. Hardworking Home Offices and Nooks


 Staging by Designed to Appeal
  
This year, family members of all ages sought out productive spaces for remote work, video meetings, schoolwork and other tasks that previously took place away from home. This trend of remote work will continue in 2021, and homeowners will double-down on creating efficient dedicated offices, work nooks and backyard cottages. 

7. Video Conference-worthy Backgrounds


 Staging by Designed to Appeal

This year, many people found themselves crafting aesthetically pleasing backgrounds for video meetings. Homeowners are discovering the art of a good vignette, from artwork, pops of color, good lighting, a little greenery and objects of different sizes.

8. Rethinking the Open Plan

Anyone who had multiple family members attempting concurring video meetings in an open layout quickly saw the disadvantages to a lack of walls. The open plan isn't going away, but many people are considering sliding doors or partitions that can close off rooms for much-needed privacy.

9. The Year of the Pergola
  
Homeowners on Houzz are looking to extend usable living space to outdoor areas, and a pergola is a relatively quick and affordable solution. These simple shade structures, which can be built and installed in a day or two, provide adequate shade for dining, lounging and other outdoor activities.

10. Rise of the Backyard Cottage or Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
  
Many people who found themselves in households of competing video meetings and school activities desperately sought private space to work, exercise or relax. A backyard cottage or ADU can be just the solution. These standalone structures are used as home offices, gyms, meditation areas or as extended living spaces.
 
 
   Corcoran



According to the Corcoran Manhattan Monthly Snapshot for November 2020: 

"In November 2020, the Manhattan market exhibited signs of continued improvement and recovery. Signed contracts increased year-over-year for the third consecutive month, rising 5% versus last November; contracts declined versus October, however that is typical of market seasonality around the holidays. 

Listed inventory, after climbing month-over-month for half a year, finally moderated by falling 8% versus October's decade-high. However, because of the surge in inventory before and after June's reopening, active listings are still about 20% above 2019 levels at nearly 10,000 units. In the face of extraordinary levels of inventory, days on market reinforced the improvement in market conditions, declining versus October and holding steady or shrinking compared to last year. 

Negotiability, unsurprisingly, deepened for both condos and co-ops compared to last November, but deeper discounts have been critical to the increase in contract activity. Annual shifts in price statistics were similar for condos and co-ops. 

Average price and price per square foot were both impacted by fewer sales at the very high-end of the market compared to last November. Median price figures, which are less impacted by very low and high priced sales, rose annually for both property types due to a drop in the market share of studio and small one bedrooms but an increase in the market share of three+ bedroom homes. 

Historically, price figures included in the Manhattan Monthly Market Snapshot are based on Corcoran deals, and are typically representative of market wide shifts in pricing. However, due to the limited number of sales this November signed by any one firm, this month we included prices for contracts signed by all brokerages."

 


 
Home Staging
Consultations:
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(for occupied homes)  
For Manhattan and the Hamptons from Montauk to Southampton:  

$400 for the first 2 hours, $125/hour thereafter. Plus sales tax. 

FREE VACANT STAGING ESTIMATES IN MANHATTAN AND THE HAMPTONS

Other Areas:  A travel premium will apply.

Contact us to schedule a Home Staging Consultation or Vacant Staging Estimate.

Click here for more information about all of our services. 

 
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