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3 Key Differences Between Staging and Interior Design

3 Key Differences Between Staging and Interior Design

Home Staging vs. Interior Design: 3 Key Differences You Need to Know

While home staging and interior design may appear similar at first glance, their purposes are distinct. Understanding these differences can help homeowners make the right choices whether they’re preparing to sell or customizing their living space.

1. Home Staging Showcases the Property, Interior Design Personalizes It

Home staging is all about making a property appealing to the widest range of potential buyers. It highlights the home’s best features and creates a neutral, inviting environment that buyers can envision as their own. In contrast, interior design is a personalized process tailored to the homeowner’s unique tastes and lifestyle, focusing on comfort and functionality.

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2. Staging Focuses on Aesthetics, Design Prioritizes Function

Staging is all about those first impressions. It’s like dressing your home up for a big event—strategic furniture placement, pops of color, and just the right decor to make everything shine. The goal? To boost your home’s value and help it sell faster. Interior design, though, isn’t just about looks—it’s about how your space works for your day-to-day life. It’s where style meets function.

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3. Staging Preps Your Home for Buyers, Design Makes It Perfect for You

When staging a home, everything’s set up to wow people in photos and during showings. Think furniture positioned to highlight cool architectural details or using neutral colors so everyone can imagine themselves living there. But with interior design, it’s all about you—your style, your needs, your vibe. It’s about making your space work for the way you live.

Want More Home Staging Tips?

For more home staging tips, read Expert Kitchen Staging Tips for a Successful Home Sale in Wilmington, NC.

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In both home staging and interior design, the home itself is the foundation. Professional design highlights architectural features and showcases the home’s true potential.

Let’s Make Your Space Shine

Whether you’re staging to sell or designing to stay, it all starts with the home itself. Professional staging and design bring out the best in any property, highlighting its features and showing off its true potential.

Ready to Sell for Top Dollar?

If you’re ready to list your home for top dollar, we would be glad to help you achieve that. Reach out and let’s chat about your upcoming sale!

Warmly,
Christa

How We Discover Your Interior Design Style (& Why It Matters)

How We Discover Your Interior Design Style (& Why It Matters)

Our homes should make us feel happy, comfortable, and at ease. After all, homes are a reflection of the homeowners! From personal items collected through fond memories to the way you function in your day-to-day life. Here’s a look into how we discover your interior design style…

Step #1: Gather Inspiration

One of the first tasks we assign to our clients is to find inspiration photos and lots of them! It’s normal to be drawn to multiple styles so we suggest searching by room. Sometimes, people will think they are drawn to a specific style but their inspiration photos say differently! This is why we don’t limit our clients to a specific style, we focus on what they are drawn to and go from there.

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Step #2: Identify Key Design Elements

When looking at clients’ inspiration photos, we are looking for common denominators – color palettes, furniture styles, artwork, materials, etc. The main thing we look for in inspiration photos is the overall look and feeling the space creates and then we find how to get there. Check out our fantastic “Find Your Signature Style” quiz to help narrow down your style options. Start your journey by taking the quiz HERE.

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Step #3: Create a Concept Board

We typically only need to see a handful of inspiration photos before we can see the vision and start taking notes! Once we pinpoint the overall look the client is after, we find what makes that specific look. It could be a slipcover sofa, distressed wood, or gold accents. Every detail matters but it’s the big picture that we have in mind at all times during the design process.

Want to learn more about our services and design process? Read In-Home Interior Design Consultations: Expert Advice & Decorating Ideas.

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Finding the look you’re after is the first step to creating the home you’ve always dreamed of. Show us the meal you want and we’ll find all the perfect ingredients to blow it out of the park. Make your home a reflection of you and all the things you love.

Ready to start planning your one-of-a-kind dream space? Let’s chat!

And in the meantime, take our Signature Style Quiz!







 

 

In-Home Interior Design Consultations: Expert Advice & Decorating Ideas

In-Home Interior Design Consultations: Expert Advice & Decorating Ideas

interior design consultation wilmington, nc

In-Home Interior Design Consultations: Expert Advice & Decorating Ideas

Are you looking to transform your living space into a reflection of your personal style? An in-home interior design consultation might be just what you need! At Mickler & Co., we love helping clients bring their design dreams to life. Here’s everything you can expect from a consultation with our team and why it’s the perfect step toward achieving the home you’ve always wanted.

The Benefits of an Interior Design Consultation?

During our consultations, we provide tailored advice and creative ideas to help you meet your design goals. Whether you’re struggling with paint colors, furniture placement, or achieving a specific aesthetic like coastal contemporary or modern rustic, our consultations offer instant gratification. Clients leave with a clear plan and a smile, armed with actionable steps to elevate their home.

paint color consultation
interior design consultation wilmington, nc

What Happens During a Design Consultation?

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what you can expect:

  1. Arrival: We arrive at your home, typically a few minutes early, ready to dive in. Almost all clients proceed to apologize for the state of their homes. Don’t.  No need to apologize for your space—we’re here to help, not judge!
  2. Introduction & Goals: We start by discussing your goals for the consultation, whether it’s selecting the perfect paint palette, optimizing furniture layout for better flow, or exploring creative décor ideas. Together, we’ll set clear priorities to ensure we address your most pressing design challenges first.
  3. Action Plan: Together, we’ll tackle your priorities. For example:
    • Choosing complementary paint colors for your living and dining rooms.
    • Rearranging furniture to improve layout and functionality.
    • Identifying décor options to match your desired style.
  4. Active Collaboration: As we work, we’ll listen to your feedback and make adjustments to ensure the results align with your vision. Open communication is key to making the most of your session.
  5. Takeaways: By the end of the hour, you’ll receive a summary sheet with recommendations, such as paint colors, furniture stores, or design tips, so you can confidently move forward.

Why Clients Love Our Consultations

  • Tailored Advice: Every consultation is customized to your unique space and goals.
  • Collaborative Experience: We work together to find solutions that work for you, your style and your family.
  • Actionable Results: You’ll leave with a clear plan and actionable steps to improve your home design.
  • Flexibility: If you’d prefer, we can also take on the design work for you!

Interior design consultation eliminate the guesswork and stress that often come with designing alone, offering expert advice tailored to your unique style and needs. During your consultation, your ideas are heard and refined with professional input, resulting in a clear plan you can confidently follow. Whether it’s gaining a fresh perspective on furniture placement or discovering new ways to enhance your home’s aesthetic, you’ll walk away with practical, actionable insights to bring your vision to life. Most importantly, you’ll feel inspired and excited about the potential of your home.

Let’s Review

  • Eliminate DIY Guesswork & Stress: Designing alone = Bad.
  • Professional Input & Objectivity: Get fresh eyes & expert input on your ideas for a new outlook.
  • Next Step Guide: We’ll make a list of next steps and priorities to supercharge your process.
  • Result – All The Feels: Renewed sense of excitement and newfound confidence in the direction of your home design!
coastal bathroom design consultation
coastal bathroom design consultation
Services Areas

We proudly serve Wilmington, NC, and surrounding areas, including Pender and Brunswick counties. We travel from N. Topsail & Hampstead to Southport, St. James Plantation and Sunset Beach, NC.  Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or real estate investor, our consultations are a great way to take the first step toward your dream home.

Book Your Consultation Today!

Design

Work With Us

Online Interior Design – Gold Package

Online Interior Design – Gold Package

online interior design

Online Interior Design – Gold Package

Looking for a cost-effective yet professional approach to interior design? Mickler & Co.’s Gold Package for Online Interior Design is the perfect solution. This service offers the same high-quality design expertise as traditional full-service interior design—at a fraction of the cost!

What is Online (or Virtual) Design?

Online design, also known as virtual design, is a modern approach to interior decorating that allows you to collaborate with professional designers from the comfort of your own home. It eliminates the need for in-person meetings while delivering the same high-quality results as traditional interior design services. By using digital tools, personalized design packages, and detailed guidance, virtual design empowers you to create a beautifully curated space at a fraction of the cost. From 3D room visualizations to comprehensive shopping lists, online design combines convenience, affordability, and professional expertise to bring your dream space to life.

Why Choose Online (or Virtual) Interior Design?

Our online interior design service provides exceptional value by streamlining the process. We eliminate two time-intensive components typically included in full-service design:

  1. Initial Intake Phase: Instead of our team conducting site visits, taking photos, and measuring the space, we guide you to handle this step yourself and share the details with us.
  2. Shopping & Implementation: After we deliver your custom design, you take charge of purchasing and implementing the plan, saving time and money.

By empowering you to be part of the process, we can deliver high-quality designs without the high price tag.

What’s Included in the Gold Package?

With the Gold Package, you receive a comprehensive suite of tools to bring your vision to life:

  • 3D Room Visualizations: Get a realistic preview of your redesigned space with stunning 3D images.
  • Inspiration Board: A curated collection of ideas to set the tone for your design.
  • Furniture Plan: A detailed floor plan to maximize your space effectively.
  • Online Shopping List: A convenient list of recommended pieces tailored to your design.
  • Custom Implementation Guide: Step-by-step instructions to help you turn the design into reality.

How Does It Work?

  1. Submit Your Details: Share your space measurements, photos, and design preferences with our expert team.
  2. Receive Your Design Package: Our team creates a fully personalized plan, complete with all the tools listed above.
  3. Shop and Implement: Using your shopping list and implementation guide, you take the lead in completing your space.

Why Clients Love Mickler & Co.’s Gold Package

Our online interior design service combines convenience, affordability, and professional-quality results. Whether you’re redesigning your living room, bedroom, or office, the Gold Package equips you with everything you need to create a beautiful, functional space.

Ready to Transform Your Space?

Start your project today with Mickler & Co.’s Gold Package for Online Interior Design and experience the perfect blend of professional design and DIY implementation. Check out our Services page to see a sample project!

Start My Online Design Project

 

The Gold Package Includes:

  • 3D Images of Your Room
  • Inspiration Board
  • Furniture Plan
  • Online Shopping List
  • Custom Implementation Guide
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Gold Package Pricing – Per Room

online foyer entry design

Foyer

$699

open concept living dining room online interior design

Living-Dining Combo

$2899

online nursery kids bedroom design

Nursery/Kid Room

$1199

online living room design

Living Room

$1799

online home office design

Home Office

$1299

virtual powder room design

Powder Room

$999

online dining room design

Dining Room

$1499

online bedroom room design

Guest Bedroom

$1199

online bedroom room design

Master Bedroom

$1499

online bathroom designer

Full Bathroom

$2199

Online Interior Design – Silver Package

Online Interior Design – Silver Package

Online Interior Design – Silver Package

Online interior design services with Mickler & Co. are an awesome, cost effective alternative to full service interior design. Online interior design provides the same, high quality design process to our clients at a fraction of the full service cost.

How do we make it more affordable?

We remove 2 crucial and time consuming portions of the full service package from our to-do list. The initial intake phase, which includes site visits,  photos of the space and detailed room measurements are completed by the client and submitted to the design team. Once the design is completed by our talented crew, the client then takes on the shopping & implementation portion of the project.

What is included in the design package?

We supply a comprehensive design package that includes inspiration boards, furniture plans, a detailed shopping list and implementation guide. The client then uses design package and included shopping list to complete the ordering, receiving and installation portion of the project.

This Silver, or “light” version, of the Gold online interior design package is easier on your wallet, but may require a bit more imagination & planning without the 3D model images & custom implementation guide. We do include standard implementation tips with every Silver package. Keep in mind the design quality and process are the same, just a bit less instruction from us on how to put it together!

The Silver Package Includes:

  • Inspiration Board
  • Furniture Plan
  • Online Shopping List
  • Implementation Tips
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Silver Package Pricing – Per Room

online interior design foyer

Foyer

$499

virtual design kids bedroom

Nursery/Kid Room

$999

online living room design

Living Room

$1399

home office design online designer

Home Office

$1099

dining room design online designer

Dining Room

$1099

bedroom interior design online

Guest Bedroom

$999

living dining room design online

Living-Dining Combo

$2299

master bedroom interior design online

Master Bedroom

$1099