In this episode of Sonoma Voices, host Nada Rothbart interviews Stuart Piontek, owner of Stage Interiors in Sonoma. They discuss the daily business of staging, the role of stagers in home design, and the history and purpose of staging. They also explore the benefits of staging, including fulfilling fantasies and showing scale. Stuart dispels misconceptions about staging and explains the four principles of staging. They discuss the magic and financial benefits of staging and the joy and organic process involved. Stuart and Nada then share their thoughts on the beauty and community of Sonoma.

Takeaways

• Staging is the process of preparing a home for sale by adding furniture, rugs, art, and accessories to fulfill buyers' expectations of what the house should be.
• Staging is a tool to show scale and can make small rooms appear larger in photographs.
• Staging is not about fooling buyers, but about enhancing a home's features and creating a lifestyle story that resonates with potential buyers.
• Staged properties often sell for 6-10% higher prices than properties that are not staged.