Imagine walking into your future home—every corner thoughtfully designed, every space flowing effortlessly, and a warm sense of comfort welcoming you in. Your home isn’t just a place to live, it’s a sanctuary that inspires, functions flawlessly, and feels uniquely yours. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply looking to refresh your space for the year ahead, our goal is to help you create a home that combines design, purpose, and an emotional connection—transforming a house into a place you look forward to coming home to.
Design Spotlight: The 2025 Pantone Color of the Year
Color trends play a huge role in how a home feels. Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, is all about creating warmth and balance. Think of it as a neutral with soul—soft yet rich, calm yet cozy. Whether you’re looking to refresh your space before listing it or just want to create a relaxing vibe at home, Mocha Mouse is a fun color to consider for a moody accent wall.
Why it works: This earthy shade pairs beautifully with both light and dark accents, allowing you to get creative with textures and finishes while keeping things grounded. Pair it with rich woods, lush textiles, and pops of metallic for a space that feels enhanced yet welcoming.
If you're thinking of updating your home before selling, incorporating great neutral colors that are warm and inviting could help buyers envision themselves, their furniture, and their lifestyle in the space. The right color can emotionally connect them to the property—and that's what we proudly create with every home we help get ready to market.
INSIDE LOOK: What Creates Connections That Lead to Offers When Selling Your Home?
Client Case Study: How staging/presenting a home makes all the difference
Client Profile: Our client, a lovely homeowner in the scenic Bull Mountain neighborhood, came to us through a referral from a trusted broker friend. She owned a beautiful traditional home with a distinct European flair. The property was stunning, with lots of potential, but it just wasn’t getting the attention it deserved.
The Challenge: Before reaching out to us, our client had been working with another agent for several months to sell the home. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, the house wasn’t getting much traction. In fact, there were very few showings during this time. The home was listed, but it wasn’t making the impact it should have.
After a thorough walk-through, we quickly identified areas that needed improvement. We advised the homeowner to stage the property and replace some of her existing pieces, especially the older, heavier furniture, which made the space feel crowded and didn’t allow the home’s beauty to shine through. We also recommended updating the paint in some rooms, as the darker tones were preventing the home’s natural light and airy feel from being fully appreciated.
Our goal was to help the homeowner visualize the potential of her property and trust our vision for how it could be transformed. We knew staging was key to showcasing the home and helping potential buyers connect with it emotionally.
The Solution: Over the course of a few weeks, we worked hard to transform the space. We brought in brand new furniture, replaced outdated light fixtures, and carefully curated the final touches that would bring the home to life. The goal was to elevate the home’s charm and warmth, making it feel fresh and inviting, while still maintaining the elegant European style that made it so unique.
The Results: Once the home was staged, it was truly a showstopper. Within just a few weeks, we had more showings than the property had seen in the entire previous listing period. The response was overwhelming. The best part? We received a full-price offer within just a few weeks after the home was re-listed—proof that the staging made all the difference.
Why Creating a Vision for Your Home Before Going to Market is Crucial: We say it all the time: staging isn’t just about filling a room with furniture—it’s about creating an emotional connection and helping buyers envision themselves living in the space. The power of staging is something we see time and time again.
In fact, during an open house for this very home, we had some buyers visit who weren’t actively looking to purchase; they were there gathering ideas for their own future home. But as soon as they stepped into the freshly staged space, everything clicked. It was exactly what they had been searching for in terms of style, functionality, and budget—and within just a few days, they made an offer.
What Made the Difference? The difference came from our ability to reimagine the space and bring out its full potential. We understand how to open up a room, brighten it, and curate it so that it tells a story—a story that helps buyers see themselves living there. From choosing the right furniture placement to selecting the ideal lighting and decor, our process is all about creating a vision for the home that helps buyers feel something as soon as they step through the door.
It’s not just about presenting a property, it’s about offering a vision for how someone can live in that home. When buyers connect emotionally with a space, they’re much more likely to see themselves living there.
The Inner Circle
Vendor Spotlight: Electrician
Relationships are the heart of our business. Whether it’s relationships with our clients, with other brokers in the community, or the vendors we trust - they’re all super important to make our business work and run like it does. We have a network of contractors who we vet and trust. As Realtors, we become a resource for all things home related. Good contractors are EVERYTHING.
First up, our master electrician, Oleg. He has been helping us personally and professionally on all things electrical for years. He’s always super available and does a great job. Plus, he’s pretty funny to boot. FInding a contractor who consistently shows up, even on a moment’s notice, is not an easy feat. So we are extremely appreciative for Oleg, and will make sure that we keep him busy, and that our clients are cared for by only the best.
Don't get lost in the dead zone. Reach out to us for a personal connection to Oleg.
Neighborhood Spotlight: Downtown Milwaukie, Oregon – A Blend of History, Culture, and Community
Nestled just a few miles south of Portland, Downtown Milwaukie is an up and coming pocket of the city that perfectly balances small-town warmth with exciting growth. With its rich history, vibrant community, and an exciting influx of new businesses, Milwaukie is quickly becoming one of the area’s most desirable places to live and visit. For book lovers, Spoken Word Bookstore is a hidden gem that just had it's opening last year. This independent bookstore offers a carefully curated selection of new and used books, making it the perfect spot to lose yourself in a good read or discover your next favorite author. Looking for a night out in downtown Milwaukie? Decibel Bar has you covered. Known for its eclectic vibe, cool vinyl tracks, and tasty cocktails, Decibel has become a local hotspot. Whether you’re popping in for a craft beer or enjoying the laid-back atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to unwind with friends.
Beer lovers, rejoice! pFriem Family Brewers, one of the region's most respected craft breweries, is opening a new Portland-area taproom in the historic Milwaukie City Hall. Slated to open in summer of 2025, the move marks an exciting addition to the neighborhood and is sure to draw crowds from near and far. With its prime location and stunning views, the new taproom will bring pFriem's signature brews to Milwaukie, giving visitors a chance to enjoy delicious beer while soaking in the area’s rich history. If you’re looking for a more adventurous outing, the Milwaukie Riverfront Park walking path leads directly to Elk Rock Island, a unique nature reserve that provides a tranquil escape from the bustle of the city. With its lush vegetation and incredible bird watching opportunities, Elk Rock Island is perfect for anyone looking to connect with nature without leaving the city. It’s one of Milwaukie’s best-kept secrets—and a must-visit for anyone who loves the outdoors.
This town is the perfect combination of old-world charm and new-world excitement—ready to welcome you home.
Home Hacks You’ll Want to Share (Trust Us, They’re That Good!)
Did you know your dishwasher has a filter that needs cleaning? It’s one of those things that most people don’t think about—but trust us, your dishwasher will thank you! Over time, food debris can build up and affect the performance of your dishwasher, leaving your dishes less-than-sparkling and, worst of all, your kitchen smelling a bit funky.
Pro Tip: Simply remove the filter (it’s usually located at the bottom of the dishwasher) and clean it regularly. Not only will your dishes come out cleaner, but you’ll also notice your dishwasher smelling fresher!
We get it—sometimes it’s the little things that get overlooked. But these small fixes can make a huge difference in your home’s function and feel. Whether you're preparing for a showing or just enjoying your space, every detail matters and enhances livability, whether for guests in a home or visitors at a business.
Personal Note
We’re more than just your real estate brokers. We’re here to think outside the box for you, support you through every step of the process, and make sure your home feels just right for whatever chapter you're entering. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just looking for design inspiration, we’ve got your back—because we believe in creating homes that don’t just work, but truly inspire.
Thank you for trusting us with your home journey! Elisha + Taryn
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