Choosing the right artwork for your home isn’t always straightforward. Striking the right balance between aesthetic harmony and personal expression can be a challenge. We spoke with home stager and interior decorator Liesa Jossel about her business Home Stagers Cape Town, and how considered art choices can elevate interior spaces and reflect the individuality of those who live in them.
How did you get started in design?
I’ve always loved moving my furniture and art around. A LOT! It drives my family mad but gives me huge joy to create a new room in the same home. But it wasn’t until I home staged an investment house that I realized I could do it in spaces that aren’t my own. I flipped a house by doing a quick renovation and putting it on the market. It was empty and no one liked it. Once I furnished it, it sold in a flash. Rugs, plants, art… they all combine with furniture to make a house feel joyful.
I did a few online courses but basically I’m self-taught.
What is staging all about?
Staging helps to market a property that’s for sale and needs to attract buyers. There are certain “universals” that buyers are subconsciously looking for… apart from price. Subconsciously, they’re looking for a feeling, how the house or apartment makes them feel. If it makes them feel good, cheerful, happy… you’ve got a good chance of a sale, even if the property doesn’t meet their on-paper specs. That’s because buying a home for yourself is like looking for your soul mate: even though you have a specific set of “must haves” and “no’s”, ultimately you overlook some because the other person makes you feel good.
So the aim of home staging is to style a home to attract buyers. It’s the opposite of decorating, which is all about the homeowner’s personal taste. Staging is about using neutral and modern furniture and accessories that show off how the home lives – its flow, spaces, and the lifestyle it offers.
All homes benefit from staging – whether it’s restyling your existing furniture or doing an empty house. There are several staging principles that make a property more appealing to buyers.. and no, it’s not baking muffins!
What kind of art do you use?
Staging art should be neutral – It should steer clear of religions, politics, sexuality, race, etc. Geometric works well, as do non-specific landscapes. Trees work well and depending on the space, animals can work.
Apart from the subject matter, what’s really important is that the art is the right shape and size for the wall and that it all speaks to each other.
What role does artwork play in your interiors?
Wall art, sculpture, vases, and other décor are what makes a home. It can be baskets, art on paper, oil paintings.. whatever… art brings inanimate walls to life. We need beauty in our homes, and anything you love can be beautiful. Art is as good as a view – you can look at it for hours.
When I stage, I insist that we hang art, mirrors, baskets. Blank walls have nothing to offer the viewer. Buyers want to feast their eyes.
You restyle houses using your clients existing art collection. What are the common mistakes people make when buying art for their homes?
I see a lot of small art in big spaces or landscape/horizontal art where it should be square or portrait. Sometimes, you see art that clashes with the rest of the house in terms of colours and style, but that’s ok, if the art is loved. It’s a sin, though, to hang your art too high.
Can style be affordable?
Style is something you have or don’t have, so if you don’t have it, yes, you can get an affordable person in to help you! I do interior decorating for small budget and big budget projects. As long as the client is realistic about what the things they like cost, and the budget aligns, you can add style and verve.
What are two of the most common design ‘mistakes’ people make when hanging their art?
Apart from too small or the wrong shape that I mentioned before, most people hang their art too high. I was in a home recently where a map was hung so high up you couldn’t read it! A map is made to be read, to give directions or point out landmarks.
Art must be at eye level, but not at tall people’s eye level. The middle of a piece of art should be at around 145-152 cms. In other words, when you’re standing in front of it, you should be able to look straight at it, without having to crane your neck.
What’s hanging on your walls at home?
Gosh, I have lovely art and art I love. My most loved painting is one by Tafadzwa Tega, whom you actually introduced me too about 15 years ago when he was just starting out. It’s large – around 2,5 metres by 1 metre, so it takes pride of place in my home. It’s a scene of a gathering of people but you really only see their faces. The colours are pinks and blues and grays. He’s become very well-known now and his paintings are sold all over the world. You’ve got a knack for working with artists who do well.
I have a coloured woodcut by Zolani Siphungela, which I also bought from you! I think he’s a totally underrated artist. He does realistic domestic scenes, such as people at a bar or sleeping. Mine is of someone standing outside with a little dog on a lead.
I love charcoal and black and white art. I have a tenebrous Themba Khumalo charcoal of the highveld, and a lithograph by Sophie Peterson of a woman sleeping in a park. She’s in the WAM gallery. Siyabonga Mlambo paints very bright, abstract faces in shapes like triangles and circles. His work is fun, joyful.
Mostly I buy unknown artists, who I think will develop.
What would our readers be surprised to know about you?
I was a plain language writer and editor before I started decorating. My background is actually in Applied Linguistics!
For more information contact Liesa Jossel on +27 848432426 or visit Home Stagers Cape Town
