FEATURE ARTICLE by The Fold: Behind the Biz with Right At Home Staging.
Celebrating 10 years of transforming spaces and making homes shine, Jessica and her team at Right at Home Staging are marking a major milestone. From a lightbulb moment that sparked a new career to creating beautiful spaces right here on the Sapphire Coast, Jessica’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
We caught up with her to chat about how she started this wonderful local biz and what makes this place so special to her.
1 // Hi Jessica, thanks for chatting with us! Tell us how you came to be on the Sapphire Coast?
Jessica: I was born and raised in Bega. I moved away at 21 and lived and worked in Sydney and London. But every time I came back to visit my parents, I felt this strong pull to return.
Fast-paced life started to feel draining, and I missed the beauty and laid-back vibe of the coast. After 13 years away, I took the plunge, moved back home, and started my business. It’s definitely been a rewarding journey!
2 // How did you become such an amazing property stylist?
Before property styling, I was a project manager, and all that experience really helped me run my own business. The skills I gained, like managing multiple tasks, coordinating teams, and meeting deadlines, are all transferable to home staging.
But the switch happened after attending a seminar about home staging. This was around 11 years ago, and the concept was still relatively new to Australia. It was like a lightbulb moment for me!
I’ve always loved design, and even studied interior design after finishing school, so home staging clicked with me right away. It’s all about transforming spaces thoughtfully, effortlessly and effectively, which felt exciting. So, I went back to Bega, studied home staging, and the rest, as they say, is history!
3 // What was your experience like when you first launched Right at Home Staging?
It was challenging but exciting right from the get-go. At the time, home staging was pretty new in the region, but after a few years, things really started to pick up, and this year, we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary!
4 // What kind of services do you offer at Right at Home Staging?
We offer three main services: Style to Sell, Style to Stay, and Style to Holiday, each designed to meet different needs.
With Style to Sell, we help homeowners stage their property to attract more buyers, sell faster, and even increase the sale price. Studies show staging can reduce time on the market by 30-50% and boost the price by 7-17%. We work with all agencies and agents across the Sapphire Coast to help a sale happen.
For Style to Stay, we focus on creating spaces homeowners truly love, making their homes stylish, functional, and comfortable.
When it comes to Style to Holiday, we help short-term rental owners style their properties to stand out online. This often leads to more bookings, higher occupancy, and better reviews.
We also have an online shop where we sell our favourite styling pieces, plus a free Find My Rug service to help you find the perfect rug for your space.
5 // Oooh tell us more about the Find My Rug service!
Our Find My Rug service helps you find the perfect rug for your space. It’s free and simple. Just send us a photo of your room, and we’ll suggest rugs that could work. No pressure, just expert advice to help you style your home. If you like one of our suggestions, we can send it straight to your door. It’s a fun way to add the perfect finishing touch!
6 // What do you think makes Right at Home Staging special?
It really comes down to our team. We’re a local, all-female crew, and we’re super passionate about what we do.
We enjoy working together, and I think that energy and love for the job shines through in everything we do.
We put a lot of care into every project, from family homes to holiday rentals and everything in between.
It’s not just about the end result, we love the whole process. Watching our team grow, developing their own style, and seeing how much they’ve evolved over the years is definitely one of the most rewarding parts of the business.
It’s all about teamwork!
7 // How would you describe your personal design style?
My personal style is all about earthy tones, natural textures, and light, airy spaces.
We love using a lot of whites and neutrals, with pops of colour in the form of art and cushions. We also love layering textures, think linen cushions, soft rugs, and natural wood accents.
It’s very calming and timeless, and I think it works well for most spaces, whether it’s a modern apartment or a coastal cottage. But we definitely adapt each project to the specific property and the client’s needs.
8 // What’s the most rewarding part about being a business owner?
There have been so many special moments in my business! Recently, we completed a project for a family in Merimbula during a difficult time for them. The family were incredibly grateful for how we helped them. It was quite a special project.
It’s also rewarding to help older couples who are ready to downsize, especially from a place they’ve lived in for so long. Making sure the home is styled to appeal to buyers, and watching it sell quickly for a great price, is incredibly rewarding.
9 // How important is staging for both sellers and holiday home owners?
Staging really makes a difference! Studies show that staged homes can sell for 7% to 17% more than empty ones, and 83% of buyers are willing to pay more for a home that’s been styled well. It’s all about creating an emotional connection. When buyers walk into a space that’s beautifully styled, it’s easier for them to picture themselves living there.
In the holiday rental market, styling is key to standing out. A well-done space can be the reason a property goes from sitting empty to being fully booked. It’s all about making that great first impression!
10 // And we’ve gotta ask! What do you love most about living and working on the Sapphire Coast?
It’s home for me. I grew up here, my parents and sister are here, it’s wonderful to be close to family.
The coastline is just stunning, and I never get tired of it.
I really enjoy going on local bushwalks; there are so many lovely spots to explore. And the food scene is excellent too!
The region has changed and grown so much since l moved back 10 years ago, and we’re so lucky to have these amazing cafe/restaurant offerings. The new Twyford theatre opening is exciting too! l have missed going to the theatre in Sydney.
If you’re looking to transform your space, whether it’s for selling, staying or styling your holiday rental, give Jessica and her team at Right at Home Staging a call.
With 10 years of turning houses into homes, their expert touch can make all the difference.
Head over to their website to check out their services, plus that terrific online shop… we’ve already got our eye on sooo many pieces, hehe!
