58 APRIL 2021 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY CLAUDIA M. GREENHUT | Photo courtesy of Andrea Rongo
With spring’s arrival, the anticipation
of a new beginning is always something
I have looked forward to. And,
this year more than ever, we could all use
one. I recently embarked on a journey to give
a few of the rooms in my home a little extra
attention. I wasn’t looking for a major overhaul,
since most of these rooms are already
furnished. Rather, I was longing for that expert
touch that ties the various elements of a room
together in perfect harmony – rooms that look
lived in with properly proportioned furniture
and décor, coupled with pieces of art that look
as though they were created with that room
in mind. I was in search of complimentary
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hanced the traditional stye of my home but
After a recommendation from a friend,
I hired Red Bank Design Center in Red Bank
who, in addition to interior design services,
also offers staging consulting for as low as
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vice from a designer, but you also get exclusive
access to unique furniture distributors and galleries such as the Parlor
Gallery in Asbury Park. I’m at the beginning of this process, but it’s already
been a great learning experience. I discovered a few great local artists in
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al New Jersey landscapes and Life Art Designs by Fanelle White and Lois
Elder, whose ink art is something I immediately fell in love with. Commissioning
a piece of art from a local artist is a wonderful way to bring the
original art in your home.
I recently caught up with Andrea Rongo, owner of Savvy Staging, to
get her advice on the easiest and most affordable ways to give your home
a refresh and create balance. The following is a transcript of the interview:
QWhat’s the biggest mistake you see clients make when decorating
their homes?
AThe biggest mistake that I see in homes is often too much furniture,
beautiful space.
QWhat are some easy and affordable
ways to change the look of your
home without having to buy all new
furniture?
AThe easiest and most affordable way to
change the look of a room is to paint. A
new paint color can change the whole look,
and give a room a fresh, clean, new feeling. If you don’t need to paint,
I recommend changing accessories such as sofa pillows, area rugs, bedding,
bathroom towels and shower curtains. Sometimes, an easy and inexpensive
“wow factor” is wallpaper. Nowadays, there are peel-and-stick
versions that come in a multitude of patterns, styles and colors. Another
Greenery immediately softens the look of a room. If within your budget,
QWhat are some of the questions you ask your clients to get
a sense of what they want to accomplish? What should
someone who wants to give their home a facelift be asking
themselves?
AArranging a consultation is always
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tate how I can help them. And based on
what they might be trying to accomplish, I
can help and ask questions from that per-
to ask; I have to address each client’s
needs individually.
Someone who is looking to give
get ideas. Look for inspiration on sites like
Pinterest or Instagram, and follow decorators
you might like. They need to be
inspired before they can create change.
/TheJournalNJ.com