Home Staging Testimonials

“I want to tell you what an amazing job you did with the apartment. It’s almost unrecognizable and it looks great! My family is astonished – as are we. LOVE IT! As soon as we met you, we all knew you were the one – there wasn’t even a discussion. I thanked my real estate agent for finding you. Thank you, Donna for doing such an excellent job.”
Cindy D., Homeowner, New York, NY

“Donna Dazzo and her team worked very efficiently to fully-stage an empty, luxury loft property for our seller at our recommendation. Donna Dazzo brings a professional confidence and know-how to her work that really is helpful in that uncertain moment prior to staging. Her design work is stellar. She frequently incorporates original artwork which immediately changes the look of a staged home into an original. She stays current with trends, color palettes and buyer tastes. Several of our prospective buyers who have visited the staged property have asked about the design work…it’s that good.”
The Dybec Team, Douglas Elliman, New York, NY

“I just finally got over to the apartment to see your handiwork. It looks stunning!!! My wife and I both said that there are many design choices you made that we wish we had thought of during the 13 years we lived there. Thank you so much for all of your work on this, we could not be more pleased with the result. And the real estate agents told us this was a no-brainer and they were right! With much appreciation….”
Greg G., Homeowner, New York, NY

“Donna and her team did an outstanding job with the transformation of this estate-like-condition one-bedroom apartment. The cosmetic upgrades coupled with Donna’s sophisticated and clean modern staging design resulted in a well-appointed apartment! Without the updates and staging, we estimated an asking price well below $800K. By doing the required improvements and then staging, we created tremendous value and felt confident in pricing the apartment at $850K. We had an accepted offer after only 2 1/2 weeks on the market and we were in contract in only 30 days following the first Open House. The seller more than recouped his initial investment with a rather quick sale near the full asking price in a very challenging market.”
George Matthews, Compass, New York, NY

“Donna and her team transformed this lump of coal into a diamond in less than a month. She removed dark paneling and shutters that blocked the views in the bedrooms, ripped out the dark carpets, painted, and refinished the floors. The end result was a beautiful bright home. Although buyers knew the apartment needed a renovation, thanks to Donna, they could see the potential and focus on the stunning views of Central Park, resulting in multiple bids and a contract signed within 2 weeks at close to asking price. I have worked with Donna numerous times and she always has an individual vision for each space. Her staging is customized so not every apartment looks the same. She works collaboratively and is the consummate professional.”
Lib Hyatt Goss, Compass/Stribling, New York, NY

“We have a buyer for our apartment! Your staging of our apartment was critical to this sale and we are so appreciative of your expertise and assistance. We’ve read that the most appreciated thanks is referrals, and you can be assured that we have told and will continue to recommend Designed To Appeal to neighbors and friends. In fact, we gave your name to the buyers as they will eventually sell their apartment. They had commented on how attractive the staging was. You are wonderful to work with and your staging made the difference.”
Kathleen and John P., Homeowners, New York, NY

“When I met the seller, the apartment had been on the market for 5 months. I could see the potential and knew that furniture was needed so the buyer could come in and imagine life in this loft.I also knew who I was going to call for help – Donna Dazzo and Designed to Appeal.I’ve worked with Donna before and knew that I can depend on her for her professionalism and great taste. When Donna says she will be able to have the furniture and staging done by a certain date, I can count on that. This staging went flawlessly and we were in contract in 50 days in a market where the average is over 300 days. I have always had an amazing experience with Donna and always recommend her to my colleagues.”
Doreen Courtright, Douglas Elliman, New York, NY

“The apartment was huge and staging changed the entire place. All the brokers that saw it before it was staged said the same thing -‘It looks amazing!’. The owner agreed.Donna knew exactly how to make the apartment feel like a true home that would appeal to buyers, and therefore we put it in contract in less than a month.”
Eli Osdoba, Meier International Real Estate, New York, NY

“Kudos! Donna, the apartment looks fantastic. The furniture and arrangements are spot on and I appreciate that you worked with what we had as well as adding a whole new flavor to the apartment. You guys are great!”
Gail B., Owner’s Representative

“Donna is incredible! She was magically able to transform my apartment into a warm, inviting home. With her help, potential buyers are now able to picture how to best utilize the living space. I have personally witnessed the excitement as soon as they walk in. Definitely a “Wow!” moment.”
Diana Lipsig, Esq., Homeowner, New York, NY

“After nearly 4 months on the market unstaged, three things became apparent in our $1.3 million 2BR/2BA listing: the market had softened, the exposed brick walls made the apartment feel dark, and without furniture, the home’s cozy unique charm was lost on those who came through. Couples and families couldn’t see their furniture fitting in. Enter Designed to Appeal to the rescue! They brought bright colors and new lighting into a dated 1990s-era renovation, dressed up the apartment in beautiful contemporary furnishings, created separate dining, office, and living room areas in the loft-like living room (wow – now it looks HUGE!), and showed how both bedrooms could easily accommodate queen bedroom sets and dressers/storage.Once Donna worked her magic, the apartment had multiple offers and an accepted offer in less than a month!”
Cynthia Crowley & Jennifer Stutz, Olshan Realty, New York, NY

“With 3 apartments like mine for sale in my building, it is amazing to me how buyers were influenced by your attractive staging. Bravo! My husband saw your work for the first time. Not prone to superlatives, especially regarding decorating, he blurted out ‘It’s beautiful!’”.
Carol H., Homeowner, New York, NY

“Donna, Thanks again for all! Your talent, your patience, your tolerance and going with the flow! You are amazing!!! We could not have done it without you!”
Francine Crocker, Corcoran, New York, NY

“I want to thank you for this job. I know there were budget constraints, but the place looks 1,000% better and you handled all of the details. You brought a new life into this home that created a wonderful flow and sense of grandeur that comes with a Central Park West apartment. Both us and the owners were over the moon with the outcome. Looking forward to the next one…”
Michael Shapot, Esq., Compass, New York, NY

“Donna goes above and beyond – not only did she recommend and provide a beautiful color palette and comfortable furnishings to showcase the beauty of my listing, she also guided my clients through every step of the process suggesting paint colors, ways to declutter, light fixtures to upgrade and a lot of other important details to enhance the listing and prewar details of the apartment and allow the next purchaser to see it as home. Within three weeks we had an accepted offer at the asking price and if it wasn’t for Donna’s staging and guidance we would not have been able to list the property at the price it was worth.”
– Emily Yaffe, Corcoran, New York, NY

“After receiving several recommendations from real estate agents for home stagers and meeting with them, I found their prices to be out of line with their services offered and their experience. I found Designed to Appeal after my own search online and couldn’t have been more pleased. Not only was she responsive, but I also found Donna’s services and expertise to be extremely value-rich, and she was also sensitive to my needs for timing and expense. She over-delivered beyond my expectations and the team effort resulted in tremendous results, with an accepted offer for the apartment in 19 days and closing at 3% above the asking price.”
– Maurice H., Homeowner, New York, NY

“Renee and I were out at the house yesterday and I wanted to tell you what a beautiful job you did in staging the house Your professional eye for interior design is truly outstanding and your organizational skills are equally impressive. Thank you for all you did on our behalf.”
-Peter G., Homeowner, East Hampton, NY

“I had an incredible experience working with Donna and her team at Designed to Appeal when she staged a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home on the Upper East Side for me. When Donna came in, we had been on the market for 4 months through the spring and summer markets. We needed the apartment staged immediately and she quickly got to work. Her team took control of everything and within days the empty apartment was transformed into a home. In my business, I believe in the power of staging above all else and Donna’s team not only got it done but validated my belief – I only wish I had contacted her sooner! I highly recommend Designed to Appeal and look forward to working with them on future projects.”
-Bianca D’Alessio, Nestseekers, New York, NY

“You did a great job and I’m very happy with the staging. Every real estate agent who has come to the house has been very impressed, and I have been very clear how professional and great you are to work with. I look forward to working with you lots more in the future!”
-Tyler Mattson, Compass, East Hampton, NY

“I represented a New Construction home in the Village of East Hampton.This beautiful home was shown consistently and always with positive feedback, but without furniture, buyers could not envision the home’s true potential.Donna responded to my initial inquiry immediately, understood exactly what was needed, worked closely to budget and within less than a week, the house was beautifully staged. Donna Dazzo is a true professional and a pleasure to work with. I will refer Designed to Appeal first every time. Thank you Donna!”
-William J.R. Kuneth, Halstead, East Hampton, NY

“This was the 6th project I have done with Donna! And once again she did not let us down as the apartment sold at the first Open House for the asking price. In this apartment Donna had a blank canvas. The owners trusted her vision and decided to take all their furniture out and leave her with a completely empty space where she could work her magic. And magic it was, because when she was finished the apartment was one of the sweetest, most inviting 2-BR homes I have ever had the pleasure of marketing. Once again Donna delivered not just what was expected but more!”
-Marie Schmon, Corcoran, New York, NY

“Donna is efficient and professional and organized and amazing!!! She was able to get in and out of our empty apartment within 2 days and entirely transform the place. It went from a completely empty to a beautifully furnished palace overnight!!! When she sent us the pictures, we could not believe it was OUR apartment! We listed the apartment that weekend and were thrilled to have multiple offers coming in immediately. I cannot recommend Donna highly enough. She is everything that you would want in a professional: honest, creative, detail-oriented, competent, and accountable.”
-Deb W., Homeowner, New York, NY

“We were uncertain if we should stage our mother’s apartment, and decided to hire Designed to Appeal. We met with other stagers, who did not get…what needed to change for the space to lose 40 years of neglect and read ‘fresh, warm, I want to live here’. Donna and her team were like Santa Claus. She and the elves… in 48 hours transformed our apartment into a decorator’s showcase. Donna was easy to work with …and I highly recommend that anyone selling an apartment use her. However, once you see her work, you won’t want to sell!”
-Jenny C., Homeowner, New York, NY