Domain.com.au

Published: February 2018

Author: Jayne Darcy

To read full article click here.

When it comes to renovating to sell, there’s a prevailing school of thought: avoid what’s “in vogue”. Still, if you’ve been inspecting properties, you’ll know this advice is often ignored. Black mulch and ear-perforating yukkas in the garden? Eek. Bare-bulb lighting? Please, is this a cafe or a home?

Steven Scalise of Scalise Studios works on townhouse projects that come into fruition years after the initial plans. “You’re making hard decisions on design, and you have to pre-empt the result and work towards matching the client’s expectation in the future,” he says. He suggests burning trend magazines. “Don’t look at trends; look at the spirit of the house.”

Luxe may be fighting minimalism for the “best way to live” crown, but the winner is ultimately a decluttered house. “Nine out of 10 clients will need to declutter,” says DeAngelis. “The way properties are presented for sale is not the way people live.”But it can be.

Certified KonMari consultant Sally Flower proves it: “I’ve moved 12 times in 10 years. For me it’s not a big deal. As soon as I move into a space, it’s just like the last one. I know how quick it is for me to organise and set it up, it’s just fun,” she says.

The KonMari method involves saying goodbye to things that don’t spark joy and keeping ones that do.

Have you read our Hive Life feature?