Staging a home built nearly 100 years ago requires a thoughtful balance. We want buyers to appreciate its history and original details, but we also need to show them that the house can feel fresh, comfortable, and relevant to the way people live today.
This 1929 property was located in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, with beautiful city views and was designed by a well-known architect of that time. The house still had many of its original windows and doors, along with stained glass, rich woodwork, and details that gave it tremendous character.
Before staging, the real estate agent did a wonderful job preparing the property for the market. The house was painted, and several areas showing their age were refreshed. Once that work was completed, our role was to bring the rooms to life and create an emotional connection between the home and potential buyers.
We did not want to fill the property entirely with antique furniture, which could make it feel like a home from another era. At the same time, using only new and modern pieces would have felt disconnected from its architecture. Instead, we created a careful mix of both.
Modern furniture gave the rooms clean lines and a sense of freshness. We then layered in vintage-inspired tables, collected accessories, artwork, and decorative objects with character. These pieces helped connect the staging to the history of the house without making the design feel overly themed.
The home’s existing wood had beautiful, warm tones, so we introduced fabrics, finishes, and accessories that complemented its natural richness. Layered textiles, warm neutrals, textured materials, and deeper accent colors made the rooms feel inviting while allowing the original woodwork to remain an important part of the design.
One of my favorite areas was the original stained-glass window in the living room. This was a special architectural feature, and we wanted buyers to notice it immediately. We placed two accent chairs in front of it with a character-filled chest-style table between them. The arrangement created a charming conversation area while using the stained glass as a natural backdrop and focal point.
Throughout the Los Feliz home, we followed the same approach. The larger furniture remained current and comfortable, while smaller vintage elements added soul and helped tell the story of the property. Nothing competed with the architecture. Each piece was selected to support what was already special about the house.
This is especially important when staging an older property. Buyers should not walk in and feel that the home’s age limits how they can use it. They should be able to appreciate its history while also imagining themselves living there comfortably today.
The finished home felt warm, layered, and full of personality. It honored the original architecture while presenting a fresh and inviting lifestyle. The property sold, the agent was extremely pleased, and we received many compliments on how beautifully the staging complemented the house.
Bionki Interiors provides professional home staging throughout Los Feliz, Los Angeles, and surrounding Southern California communities. If you are preparing a character-filled or historic property for the market, contact me, Pantea Bionki, at Bionki Interiors at (909) 706-5347.
