We recently completed Staging #4 for American Communities. Like the previous building, this one was designed in a contemporary Art Deco style, so we chose furnishings and art that fit with this theme. But at Stage to Sell, we always have to try something new! So this time we added a graphic element to the walls with vinyl decals. Though these gave us the fun design element we were looking for, their large size made them quite difficult to install (more on that in a separate post).

Below are the “after” photos of this beautiful property. Enjoy

Entry & Conference Area

Notice the creative use of a vinyl wall decal as an accessory. The “candelabra” sits atop the console table as a welcoming accent as residents enter the space.

Conference Area

These low income buildings are required to offer certain types of free classes to their residents, so the conference area provides a space for these courses.

Kids' Area

While their parents attend classes, the younger children have a place to read or play.

Computer Area

Older kids and adults can make use of one of three computer terminals to access the internet, do email or look for work. (Due to theft in past projects, three laptops will be available for check out in the manager’s office).

Conversation/TV Area

Conversation/TV Area 2

The conversation area allows residents to mingle, read or watch television in a group setting.

Entry Wall

Notice the two vinyl wall decals in the photo above. The first is the custom lettering with the name of the building. The second is the clock. The best part about this clock is that it actually works! The company sends you both the decal and a working clock mechanism that you apply after installing the decal. Very cool.

Bathroom

And last but not least, the bathroom! I like how the plane decal adds a touch of color and whimsy to this often overlooked space. But tell me the truth, does it look like the plane is about to crash into the person who is sitting on the john?

Today was the Grand Opening event for Hobart Heights. Hobart is the 3rd low income housing community we did the interior design work for (see projects #1 and #2 here). They are always great projects, due in large part to our wonderful client American Communities. They are a joy to work with, and we look forward to many more projects with them.

Today was the first time I attended one of the Grand Openings, and I was blown away by what I witnessed. For starters, Herb Wesson was there.  Herb is the LA City Councilman representing the 10th District. He was instrumental in advocating for this and other similar developments meant to provide affordable housing for Los Angeles residents so they can live in the same community in which they work. (Just to give you an idea, a 3 bedroom unit in this building rents for between $500-$1000/month, whereas similar apartments in the neighborhood rent for $3500!)

Representatives from the Los Angeles Housing Department and the Community Redevelopment Agency were also on hand to congratulate everyone involved for a job well done. This building was located in a historical neighborhood so there were many “hoops” to jump through in order to get the plans approved. But it was obviously worth the effort. Beautifully designed in an art deco style, with the comfort of the residents in mind, this building has created a new life for the deserving people who live there.

The most touching part of the entire presentation was when a current resident spoke (via a translator) about the way in which living in the building has changed her life.

This woman is the mother of a disabled daughter. For 13 years before moving into Hobart Heights, she had to carry her daughter on her back up to the 5th floor of her old apartment. She was in tears when she spoke about how the simplest things that we take for granted have changed her life. The ramp up to the front of the building and the elevator, as well as the handicap accessible bathroom and kitchen, allow her daughter to be truly self-sufficient for the first time in her life. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house after this lovely woman spoke.

With all the doom and gloom in the news, it was wonderful to hear some positive news and to know that there is funding for many more similar developments in the area. Many local politicians are working tirelessly to create affordable housing, as well as job opportunities and open space (parks) for LA’s under-served residents. Let’s hope they succeed in changing many many more lives.

Job #3 was Hobart Heights in downtown Los Angeles. This is the flagship building for this developer, so it had to look great. The building was designed in a contemporary Art Deco style, so we chose furnishings and art that fit with this theme. This building had 2 main living spaces and a couple of ancillary areas, like entries and hallways that needed to be Staged. The first was the Common Room which is used for watching TV and having occasional meetings, as well as just hanging out. The second was the Learning Center, which included a desk area for 3 workstations, a conference table for courses provided by the facility, and an area for kids to play while their parents attend these courses.

These jobs are huge projects for us, requiring the coordination of several different vendors so that all the furniture, art and accessories arrive on time and in are put in the proper place. We also have to assemble some of the pieces on-site (especially the office furniture), which is a labor intensive process. This project in particular had its share of challenges (the first being “the case of the moldy sofa” which I will cover in my next post!).

Below are my photos of the end result. Stay tuned for my next post to hear more details of our challenges on this job.

Once again we were asked to design the community area for the development – a space that will be utilized by all the residents for socializing, watching TV, and taking courses (the city & state who fund these types of developments mandate that the builders have to provide different types of classes for the residents). The difference between this job and the last was that the entire community space was contained within one room, rather than in two separate spaces. We had to design a living area for hanging out & watching TV, a kitchen/dining space, a conference/classroom area and a kid’s play space. Fun, fun, fun! My job always allows for a good deal of creativity, choosing rental furnishings to help enhance the look of a home to appeal to a broad range of buyers. But this job was pure interior design, and the pieces I selected were actually going to be used and enjoyed by the residents!

We had a great time with this one and here are some photos of the results. The great news is that there’s another development being built as I type (apparently, LA Mayor Villaraigosa has made it a priority to create lots more affordable housing in the city), and we are looking forward to designing that one as well.