Home: Style Like a Pro with Tips from RI Staging Business

Four years ago Kristen Brown and Amy Keeley founded Salt + Pine, a boutique home staging company. Drawing on an amassed inventory of furnishings and accents reflective of their style, which they describe as transitional with a modern coastal flair, they outfit empty houses so that prospective buyers can envision what daily living would be like. Brown explains, “Staging shows buyers the amount and the scale of furniture that truly fits in rooms; it also sells a lifestyle.” We asked the duo, named Top Ten Professional Home Staging Team of the Year by Vacant Staging North America, 2022 – and Keeley named Professional Stager of the Year by Occupied Staging, 2022 – to explain some of the things they recently did to a house in Portsmouth.

LIVING ROOM

A large neutral rug with cream, browns, and tan anchors the living room area in the open-concept floor plan, while the light gray sofa connects with the kitchen backsplash. Leather cubes bring texture and warmth without obstructing the prized view. The light wood coffee and dining tables provide contrast to the black console table behind the couch, and wood and black side tables round out the room. Coffee table accents are kept low to direct the gaze straight through to outside or to the fireplace. 

A coastal landscape draws the eye up the fireplace towards the vaulted ceiling. A camel and cream plaid blanket on the arm of the chair brings in a nice print while creating a cozy spot by the fireplace. Layering pillows in cream and tan create a finished at-home feel. 

DINING ROOM

Mixing and matching dining chairs brings a curated look. Rattan chairs add a coastal nod without overwhelming the space. The black frames of the fern prints tie in with the black accents throughout the space. A subtle stripe of green echoes the bedroom rug and adds visual interest.

KITCHEN

Leather barstools bring warmth and a nice contrast to the blue kitchen island. 

BEDROOM

White bedding appears luxe and is the perfect foil for layers of neutral textiles, like a chunky knit throw to layer, adding warmth and texture on chilly spring nights. The throw pillows also bring warmer hues to the space with deeper browns and creams. The gold stand mirror brings elegance while the mirror reflects light and movement, making the already large room feel even more spacious. The media consoles serving as nightstands bring some contrast and an unexpected element with the black metal and glass doors.