Staging And Beyond
Praise
Tara Cooke you are so wonderful
and easy to work with!
From the start when I sent you photos,
to you arriving
with all your bundles of
sample books, fabric swatches,
molding samples and paint books.
You made the entire decorating process a delight.
We loved that you also rearranged
the furniture and items
that have special meaning to us,
and you made the not so attractive pieces
showcased into attractive pieces.
The kids are at ease
in every room
and so is my husband.
The kids love their rooms so much
they happily make their beds
and pick up.
Wow!
Our house both inside and out
finally feels like a home.
Thank you!
- S. Williams
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Tara Cooke performed a miracle!
Tara Cooke was called in to stage a house
that had been terribly abused and neglected.
We really didn’t think anything could help much.
To our amazement
- after Tara Cooke’s amazing makeover
- the house Sold in 48 hours
AND for $7,000.00 over the asking price.
Tara renovated the bathrooms, mudroom,
and the entire lower level of the home.
Tara also gutted & renovated the entire kitchen;
moved 2 walls and repositioned the entire kitchen's layout.
She had a new patio installed, plus she designed
and managed the landscaping.
Tara maximized the space for the entire home
and enhanced the homes entire flow.
Tara took charge of the project completely
from the beginning until the closing.
Tara's selections of all the paint colors,
the different flooring's, all the cabinetry,
the granite counters, cabinetry
and all the new appliances
she recommended were spot on.
Tara then furnished the entire house
beautifully showing off the home's full potential.
Tara Cooke's cost effective and outstanding work
then put us in a powerful marketing position
to maximize the price
by making it a turn-key property.
We were directly competing
with two other equally-priced homes in the neighborhood.
Both were larger homes
and one home was even located directly behind our listing.
It was the home that Tara Cooke
and her company Staging And Beyond renovated and decorated
in her staging flair that sold flat out.
And sold with a large profit for the home’s Sellers.
In my seventeen years as a Real Estate Agent,
I have rarely seen this kind of dramatic turnaround!
- S. Prinzo,
Realtor GRI, SRES,
Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
We’re pleased to recommend Tara Cooke
of Staging and Beyond.
Tara is a person that stays on top of the job
from start to finish
and comes through on time.
Tara's thoughtful choices show a keen design sense
and knowledge of the buyer’s psychology in this market.
The overall experience of working with her
is both professional and joyful.
She brings her exuberance, passion,
and decorating savvy transforming rooms
for homeowners into unforgettable spaces.
Tara is savvy,
and absolutely does make the most of every dollar.
In terms of adding value,
Tara knows how to make homes stand out
in this saturated market
and take your house to the next level,
SOLD.
We’re pleased to give Tara Cooke
and her company Staging And Beyond
the highest reference.
- Julie and Steve B.
Encino, CA
We wanted to put our craftsman style house on the market, but it presented quite a challenge.
I personally observed the tremendous difference
that Tara Cooke made
when she undertook our staging project.
From the window treatments to the selection of plants,
to the artistic placement of art & accessories,
Tara knows how to trigger a buyer's desire
for a wonderful life style.
Tara Cooke possesses the rare talent
to show off the full potential of a house
and it's land while giving it such huge impact.
Tara enabled Buyers to envision themselves living here.
She creates genuine emotional desire and appeal.
I have and will continue to refer Tara Cooke
to anyone I know who intends to sell their homes.
- G. Mckee
South Pasadena, CA
When you see a beautifully decorated house on the market,
there's a good chance its inviting ambience
wasn't created by the seller.
Savvy sellers in today’s market always
have their homes staged by a professional,
especially in this recovering market,
but it can't be just any professional stager
or even designer for that matter.
Tara Cooke at Staging and Beyond
knows what today’s buyers want.
Tara Cooke is so creative and has such great taste.
Even by her just re-purposing what you've already got
she gives your home a makeover
that's so appealing and realistic,
it might just make you want to stay.
- A. Lewis
Los Angeles, CA
As trustee for an estate,
I was attempting
to sell a house
to provide cash assets
for the welfare of a family member.
The property was run down
and so was the real estate market.
I had used one realtor,
but fired her and her stagers
after several months of poor buyer responses.
After this loss of time and money,
I brought in a new realtor
and Tara Cooke of Staging and Beyond.
In just a few weeks,
the house became a showcase,
even the neighbors streamed in and out.
Tara's Staging was low cost
with a high-end contemporary feel
that was comfortable
and felt like a home.
Tara Cooke brought this house from the
“Worst house on the block
to the Most Desired house on the block”.
Tara’s placement of furniture,
all the colors she chose,
what she did with the kitchen, bathrooms,
bedrooms and the backyard,
everything was remarkable.
But most remarkable,
the house sold for $261,000 more
than originally suggested by the first agent.
Tara Cooke & her company Staging And Beyond
brought in top dollar for us.
Definitely BEYOND what I had imagined!
- David R.
Beverly Hills, CA
Tara Cooke's interior design and decorating
addressed not only the technical needs
but also the aesthetic comforts
that have made wonderful homes
for me to live and entertain in.
My Paris apartment
had such unique architectural angles,
but after moving in
I found it awkward
and very challenging.
Tara's worldly travels
enabled her to customize
and transform my entire home,
all the while exemplifying my global style.
Then when I purchased
my NYC apartment
with a odd staircase
in the middle of the apartment
that felt cold and out of place,
I knew Tara was the decorator to contact.
Tara changed the flow of the
upstairs and downstairs areas,
rearranged my furniture and art.
She brought in some
architecture elements,
and changed paint colors.
Instantly it all felt
delightfully charming,
warm and inviting.
I was so excited to entertain,
and immediately threw a dinner party
that had all my guests gushing
over my captivating NYC apt.
Tara Cooke transforms homes
with a smart,
chic, fresh sense of style.
She captures the unique fit
that reflects a perfect balance
of one’s personality,
lifestyle and home.
- Danielle V.
Paris, France and NYC
Repeat customer
Thank you Tara Cooke
and your company Staging And Beyond.
Thank you for your professionalism
and for finishing the staging ahead of schedule.
Tara strategically placed all the furnishings
and the artwork around the house.
People could identify with her appealing choices.
Your Staging designs
showed off the house
creating a appealing and inviting lifestyle.
As you know,
the showing for realtors was a dream!
And we quickly ran out of the business cards
you gave us for realtors
who wanted your contact info.
Tara believes
that in today’s crazy competitive market
Sellers CAN NOT expect
to just leave it up to the
Buyer to use their imagination
and try to picture their furniture
fitting in empty rooms
and over crammed rooms.
And she knows that no longer
will Buyers
pay the asking price
when they see an outdated house.
When Tara Cooke decorates a home,
the results are stylish
and it really feels like a livable home.
She makes it relatable to buyers
and more desirable.
Tara addresses it all,
even the small details
like drawers and closets.
The experience of working with
Tara Cooke was a pleasure.
She made it a profitable transaction!
We sold in less than 2 days,
received 11 offers,
and sold for $10,000.00 over the asking price.
- J. Devine,
Realtor
Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Our beautiful house
remained on the market
losing value every day.
All the Open house showings
we had just hadn't brought offers
and exclusives were ponderously slow.
My wife invited Tara Cooke to dinner
and when I learned what she did
in the real estate market,
I said. "Absolutely. Let's do it."
We immediately hired Tara Cooke,
and I felt that a huge burden
had been lifted off my shoulders.
Tara did such an incredible job.
Our house was now such a warm
and very appealing home.
We quickly closed with a double profit,
to a couple who said our house
was exactly what they had been looking for
in a eight month-long search.
The couple loved everything so much
they purchased our furnishings also.
Thank you Tara,
Bless you from the both of us.
- Philip W.
Westhampton, NY
My client bought one of the homes staged
by Tara Cooke
and her company Staging And Beyond.
Talk about First Impressions!
I attended the first preview of the home
and the minute I saw the property
I knew it was exactly perfect for one of my clients.
The second my client drove up
they were excited from just the curb appeal alone.
The house was so smartly designed by Tara Cooke.
From the moment they saw the place,
my clients had to have it!
So they wrote an offer
well over asking price
to also include all furnishings.
They loved the whole package.
We waited anxiously as the offers poured in.
Finally, our offer was accepted and my clients rejoiced.
They are so happy in their newly decorated
and furnished home.
My clients look forward to starting a family
and living there for years to come.
It's fantastic to sell a property
the first time it's put on the market,
it's a great profitable win for everyone.
We all get on with enjoying life
instead of being blogged down
with outdated or empty homes
causing back and forth costly delays
for all parties.
I’d love to have Tara Cooke
and her company Staging And Beyond
in my corner designing
and updating my listings.
RE Buyer's agent:
Thomas M.
Century 21 AA Realty
Tara Cooke made such a huge difference
when we were trying to sell our place.
I didn't want to put a lot of money into the project.
Tara is a frugal genius.
She knew how to use what we had
and made suggestions of inexpensive additions
that made for a major improvement.
It was a delight working with Tara
because of her brilliant innovative ideas.
She is extremely creative
and is a pleasure with a cheerful, upbeat personality.
I picked up so many fabulous designing tricks
and tips from Tara.
Selling a place can be depressing
-- nightmare is more like it --
working with Tara Cooke made it enjoyable
and extremely profitable for us.
- P. Anderson
West Palm Beach, FL
I am utterly impressed
by what Tara Cooke accomplished
and I am very happy
to refer her amazing abilities.
My 6,500 sq. ft, loft in NYC SoHo
presented many unique challenges.
Having lived there for over thirty years,
it was hard to visualize
what could make it more appealing,
mostly because the size of the space was so huge
and filled up with my stuff.
Tara was very patient with me
as she first decluttered
and organized the loft.
She brought in a cleaning crew
and then rearranged all my furniture
for such a better flow.
Tara's amazing design sense
saw new possibilities for my art and things;
it all feels like brand new furnishings.
I dreaded having anyone over
before Tara worked on my loft space.
Now I have different areas to entertain
guests and clients.
I enjoy having people over
and hearing them gush
about how wonderful my loft is.
The colors and artistic touches Tara added
were perfect.
Thanks to Tara Cooke
I now love my loft and am staying.
I wish I had hired you thirty years ago!
- D. Goldman,
New York City, NY
Tara Cooke is a
frugal stylish amazement!
Tara Cooke is a Staging Guru
and a true professional.
She showed us so many ideas
for our home and backyard areas
to implement now and also in the future.
Anyone who is wanting fresh changes
at budget friendly prices,
I highly recommend Tara's services.
- Chris K.
Escondido, CA
Tara Cooke came to the rescue
and helped me sell my home
in this over saturated market.
Tara helped my home stand out from,
and above so many of the other competing houses.
She used cost-effective decorating ideas, and spruce ups.
Even her rearrangement of all our furniture
showed off our home to feel
and appear much more spacious.
I saw a stunning estate that was a diamond in the rough.
But we quickly became overwhelmed
after we moved in
from what what all need to be done
to update and remodel.
I felt Tara had managed and accomplished
such a wonderful job for us
and she had worked so efficiently for us
that I hired her again
for this new home we purchased.
Tara took charge and stayed on budget.
Instead of worrying over the process,
I was able to be excited at ever step of the way.
Seeing our home go from outdated and crumbling
to the splendor of a Grand estate.
Tara managed all the aspects of renovating
and decorating our new dream home.
She listened
to our functional needs for our home
and implemented styles that completely captured us,
what we love and accentuated the house.
Our home is now beautiful, sophisticated,
worldly and comfortable.
We love that friends and guests
are found congregating
in so many different rooms and areas
throughout our home and back yard.
We love our new home and constantly entertain.
Now in our new home we can do so with ease
because of all of Tara's talents
and devotion to even the smallest details
of styling our home.
My family is now so proud
to show off our gorgeous estate.
Thank you Tara Cooke
for giving us the home of our dreams
– and a super special place that our pooch loves!
- B. Goldburg,
Laguna Niguel, CA
Tara Cooke offered
concrete, practical and easy solutions
that are able to transform a living space.
I was really at a loss
as to how I could update my kitchen
without going through major renovations.
Tara was able to offer a variety of options
at different price points,
and explain how a potential buyer would react.
She is an absolute wealth of information and ideas.
Her patience and kindness
through what I thought would be a difficult situation
turned into a dream come true.
Tara is passionate about what she does
and that enthusiasm carries through in her work.
- Nichole D.
Fallbrook, CA
To deal with my situation,
I felt overwhelmed
and was beginning to feel hopeless.
I thought I needed a magician.
Well, I not only found one,
but a whole team of them.
I think Staging and Beyond is a great name
for the company
because they certainly went beyond
what I expected.
They looked at every detail
and fashioned an approach
that really transformed the entire property.
From the front curb to the backyard fence,
buyers were definitely impressed.
Contracting Tara Cooke
was definitely more than worth it for me.
I would not have profited at all
if it weren’t for the services of Tara Cooke
of Staging And Beyond.
- Phil R.
Huntington, New York
As a professional in the field of generating wealth,
I know that the major asset
most people have is their home.
But in order to obtain the highest financial return,
a number of strategies must be employed.
Among the most significant
is staging the home in a manner
that maximizes its profitability.
For this, I strongly recommend Tara Cooke
and Staging and Beyond.
They have acute sense of the real estate market
and are able to position homes
in a style befitting the most demanding clients.
Tara Cooke, the owner of the company,
is a no-nonsense design expert
who can cut to the chase and deliver results.
I highly suggest that people
serious about selling their homes
avail themselves of her considerable expertise.
- Ramona C.
Redondo Beach, CA
Frankly, neither my husband nor I
had a clue about what to do
about our major problem areas,
the kitchen and the living room.
In fact, I was so nervous
about installing
kitchen cabinet counter tops,
scared that I would make a lousy, costly mistake.
Everything I kept pricing was way over my budget.
So my kitchen had stayed bare
with faux counter tops for over a year.
Then I met Tara at a friend’s party.
We definitely hit it off
and she came over about a week later.
From the first minute,
you could tell that Tara
had a remarkable flair for design,
sort of a sixth sense.
So we hired her;
and what Tara recommended
was budget conscientious
and improved the value of our place immensely.
We LOVE our apartment so much now.
Thanks to Tara Cooke
and her fabulous design style
we now truly enjoy entertaining
in our Manhattan apt.
Tara is a great talent, and a great gal!
- E. Emerson
New York City, NY
Fabulous, fabulous!
Tara Cooke you are such a Brilliant Decorator!
My house sold the first week.
You were brilliant beyond my wildest dreams.
I will not hesitate to recommend you to anyone
who might be selling their home
or anyone staying put.
You had so many useful brilliant ideas.
You are very attentive
and amazingly detailed oriented.
You notice even the smallest details.
You made me laugh
through what could have been
an arduous tension-filled experience.
Your lovely sunny disposition
and capable take-charge abilities
left me wanting to never let you go.
Tara Cooke, you are so talented.
Thank you so much!
You're truly a pleasure to work with.
I look forward to hiring you again soon.
- R. Ohrstrom
Newport, Rhode Island
Repeat Customer
Moving into our house was exciting.
But that excitement quickly faded.
I was too overwhelmed with boxes to unpack,
kids - husband - and pets to tend to,
plus being pregnant.
A friend recommended Tara Cooke.
And boy am I glad she did!
Tara streamlined the selection process,
and brought in teams
to unpack and
arrange all our furniture.
And without any hesitation,
she even brought her team back in
to rearrange some furniture
that wasn't completely working for us.
Tara stayed focused and organized.
She also stayed on budget.
Which was awesome.
Now, we can focus on welcoming our new baby
and enjoy our home
with our family and friends.
Thank you for making this project fun and exciting.
- Susan B.
Solana Beach, CA