A few short years after moving to our beautiful community in 2001, Kim Kapellusch changed careers overnight from the hustle and bustle of set design to Home Staging. Having been a former agent, Kim was intrigued by the marriage of set design and real estate that became her love and passion for Home Staging. Now every day she goes to “play” while helping those in her community attract the highest offers in the shortest time for their home. Kim was so excited about her newfound niche that she went on to develop The Academy of Home Staging and Design with her HGTV Interior Design partner, Wanda Colon, so they could share their love for the industry and teach others how to become rock star designers. Since that time, aspiring designers from around the globe have traveled to attend their hands-on business and field training in Home Staging and Interior Design fields; right here in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Q: What is the most interesting aspect of your job?
I LOVE making a space feel amazing and look even better. My work is visually captivating and emotionally gratifying with a twist of mystery thrown in. No matter how I might imagine the space will look in the end, the entire process requires ongoing creativity before arriving at that mic-drop moment.
Q: Hey wait, What the heck is Home Staging anyway?
Many savvy sellers and agents utilize Staging to increase profit margins for their homes. While Home Staging has been around since the ’70s and becomes a mainstream part of the selling process, I still meet people who are amazed to discover it’s “a thing”. While we also provide Interior Design Services, Home Staging is a strategic design process utilized to transform a home into the target market buyer’s dream home while it is for sale. By employing several techniques that follow design aesthetic, Staging is also about employing strategies that help buyers fall in love and form an emotional bond with the home. Statistically, this process drives up traffic and offers, sometimes yielding sellers tens of thousands more than their non-staged neighbors.
Q: Why does Home Staging Work?
Have you ever toured a model home? Compelling isn’t it? Staging works in much the same way. It starts with buyers seeing amazing photos of the Staged home, which in turn, inspires a visit. Upon experiencing the feeling of a home that has been staged to cater to the target buyer’s needs, wants, and desires, the buyer begins to bond with the home which drives up the desire for it and typically higher offers. The more interest in a home, the more offers a home might fetch and the more leverage the seller has to work within countering multiple offers.
Q: I’ve always thought being a designer would be fun. Is it hard to break into?
A: Before a lot of online sourcing was available, yes. Now that everything can be done online with special software and tools, anyone with a good eye can be designing interiors for today’s projects fairly easily. For example, our courses are boot-camp-style: Intensive training for 1-2 weeks with ongoing coaching support so virtually anyone can get up and running quickly. With recent events, you can even attend virtually now and we are also adding Spanish speaking.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I was a very fortunate girl to have 2 parents that were amazing and are still with me today. I am married to my soul mate Scott who is not only my best friend in life but supports me in all I do. I am very blessed.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
The future couldn’t be brighter. Staging and Design are always in demand. In hot markets, people want to attract multiple offers and land on a ridiculous final price they likely would not get in any other market. In a slow market, capturing every dime of your margin is imperative. With the school, we have added the virtual courses, Spanish courses and are adding smaller courses for those who are already established, designers.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love to sit on the patio at Olive Terrace or Marston’s. Both have awesome selections for the area. I don’t cook so for me I love an awesome meal I won’t get anywhere else in a soothing outdoor environment.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Since 2001
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I was meant to be in Australia in April 2020 so I am hoping to get there soon. I would also like to visit Italy one day.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
You can do anything you set your mind to. I lived on a farm and moved here from Wisconsin. My biggest accomplishment there was waiting tables and today I have helped people all over the globe achieve what I have built. Nothing could be more gratifying.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Well, something on the bucket list might imply a single achievement but I would love to travel the globe exploring places and cultures for an extended period of time when I retire.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Style My Space.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that its family orientated. People still help each other and look out for each other.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been to?
England
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
August – both I and my hubby are born in August and it is usually the last moment to enjoy summer weather.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A day with friends out in nature on the perfect weather summer day
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My Dad – he is a saint and an amazing human being. I can’t think of anyone I admire more.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Lilacs and Tulips – most people don’t think tulips have a sent but they do in Wisconsin.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, spouse, friends
