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See How Expert Home Staging Transformed These Listings Into Must-Haves
Kiel Storms is the Designer for UPstaging, the BREL team’s in-house home staging company. Nothing excites him more than finding a great deal on a piece you won’t find anywhere else. He and his colleagues, Jim Kirwin (Listing Prep Technician) and Enoch Khuu (Staging Assistant), are responsible for creating the amazing spaces that make BREL listings stand out in the crowded Toronto real estate marketplace.
As the days shorten and the temperature drops, our desire to hibernate is matched only by our desire to reflect on the year that was. It’s the best way to plan for the future, after all. What did we get right, and where can we improve? Reflection always leads me to write our ‘Best Stages of the Year’ list, and 2024 was a year to remember.
Home Staging is far from an exact science, and no two stages are the same, so how can we possibly compare them, let alone rank them? Truth be told, it’s entirely subjective, and the list changes daily. Still, the criteria are simple enough—how special the house was to everyone involved and the size of the staging transformation. The houses on this list are all unique, giving us reason to pat ourselves on the back.
– Kiel
5. 30 Grand Trunk Cres #2702
The “million dollar views” from 30 Grand Trunk Cres #2702 are something most people would happily pay for. West-facing floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the lake, Canada’s most iconic structure—the CN Tower—and the Rogers Centre, with the city lights twinkling in the background. Night or day, the views leave you speechless.
We created a comprehensive pre-staging plan for the seller and oversaw the completion of our suggested improvements, including the installation of new flooring and lighting plus fresh paint throughout the unit. The team executed a full stage that helped this vacant property realize its potential, and listing agent Matt Shapiro solidified his place on the BREL Team wall of fame by successfully attracting multiple offers in a very tough condo market.
4. 1900 Sheppard Ave E #1601
They don’t build condos like they used to! This 3-bedroom condo was truly a family-sized home alternative and had us excited from our first visit – potential like this is so rare.
With the help of our eager and hardworking clients and Varun Arora – their talented and determined listing agent by their side, we overhauled the interior in a matter of weeks and helped this condo of a certain age shine like the cover girl we knew she could be. Varun negotiated a great price for his clients in a challenging market, and we all patted ourselves on the back for a job well done.
3. 205 Symington Ave
This home charmed you from the moment you entered it due to its thoughtful design. Previously owned by a master millworker, this home’s extensive custom wood details made it stand apart from cookie-cutter flips awash in Millennial grey.
From the entrance closet to the impressive fireplace surround, the contemporary glass staircase to the clever built-ins in the primary bedroom, this home screamed ‘custom’, so decorating was an absolute pleasure. Meticulous planning went into making the home feel modern and move-in ready. Listing agent Lisa Bednarski did what she does best by helping her clients move on in style.
2. 445 Leslie St
Sometimes, it’s the size of the transformation, and sometimes, it’s the anticipation. I first saw this property a year and half before the clients were ready to list and I had been dreaming of it since that first consultation.
When the time was finally right to list, we executed the long-awaited home staging plan and overhauled the space to the delight of the owners. Described by someone who visited the open house as “the Sultan’s tent!”, this home made a great first impression and didn’t last on the market long. Listing agent Halina Bucchino thrilled with the finished product and the resulting sale immediately set off in search of their next property to conquer.
1. 635 Townline Rd
It’s not every day you get to work on a home that could be featured on the pages of Toronto Life or Architectural Digest. Set back on a sprawling lot in Clarington , this craftsman-style bungalow was breathtaking at first glance. The details throughout reflected the love this builder-owner had put into what he thought would be his forever home before fate would have him stumble upon a new project he couldn’t resist.
Improving something already so great can be an intimidating task, but we stepped up to the plate and delivered. The large open floor plan gave us a chance to play with furniture placement and invest in some new pieces. The result was a very fast win that took us all by surprise. Matt Shapiro took yet another well-deserved bow, and we packed up our furniture, knowing we’d never forget just how beautiful it looked in that most elegant of homes.
