There’s a home staging and realty company in Stockholm called “Fantastic Frank,” which takes house photography to a whole new level. I guess you could call it editorial, as if the photos were taken for a high-end shelter magazine. I could spend hours looking through FF’s website and blog at all of the unusual ways the rooms are staged.
For example, you don’t see candy teeth arranged on bathroom sinks like this every day of the week, do you?
Is that an elephant on the toilet…wearing sunglasses?
Love the sense of humor behind these, even though it seems like an odd way to try to sell a house. Enter this one, which apparently a crime scene, at your own risk:
Yikes! Might not want to take a shower in this bathroom:
I have a feeling things didn’t end well for the former owner…
You can see more of his photos–and some really beautiful properties–on Fantastic Frank’s website. A lot of the listings have already sold, so it apparently works. It would definitely get a buyer’s attention, wouldn’t it? (Thanks to Anna for telling me about it!)
A few more unusual ways we’ve seen houses staged:
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I’m not sure I could buy a house that had Psycho and crime scene images of it ;-D. But, a unique idea, I’ll admit. And I guess attention grabbing!
I once saw a listing that had the final image a photo of a large pink stuffed rabbit sitting in a chair. It was a close up shot, so you couldn’t see anything of the room. Maybe they were trying to imitate Fantastic Frank!
Maybe! Ha.
uhhhh, that’s a bit odd, lol! Not sure what I think. I love creative things, but this is a bit much for me. I’d be really distracted if I was looking at these homes!
I actually liked the first photo. I remember those other posts, ROTFLMAO!!! The stalking lime is priceless.
Really a riot, Ha! surprised many Realtors would use him though!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Do come and enter my new Giveaway, a very special painting!
Are those towels attempting to escape?
The “chalk” murder scene on the bed is made out of ties. Probably the homeowners. Hilarious!
ive visited the site and its in a different language.dont know where to start.haha!
Just start clicking on the photos on that main page and it’ll take you to the listings, if they’re still active, or to his blog posts about them, if they’re sold. You’ll find all sorts of fun stuff to look at!
Very whimsical. I like their sense of fun.
Best,
Susan
Hi Julia,
This is hilarious, although I think I would be taken aback the first time that I saw something like this.
Cheers, Brenda
I think the photos are fun to look at and would make a neat stand alone website, but I don’t know if I’d appreciate it as a buyer. I wouldn’t want to be distracted. Love the elephant on the toilet…ha!
lol – pretty smart strategy to keep the home from being forgettable and too neutral. Love it!
That is freaky!
Love the theatrical effects – very clever. In this economy trying to sell a house can be hard. This at least can be amusing to do for stressed out sellers.
My best- Diane
I’d be so busy checking out the craziness that I’d have a hard time paying attention to the rooms! But I’m sure it does bring a lot of attention to a place and sometimes that’s all it takes. Cool post Julia.
If I saw this among the regular house photo’s I would probably say, ‘what the hell’. I bet they get way more hits than traditional staged houses but not necessarily buyers.
Hilarious! I guess if you reach enough people, you’re bound to find a buyer. Though I think the limes still take the cake. It’s the subtlety that makes them so memorable…and so odd!
Yesterday I viewed a friends MLS and cringed. Flyswatter on kitchen counter. Clutter. A family member on couch watching t.v. with a broken leg. I thought that was bad. This actually makes her listing look good!
I do however like the tape on the windows from the patio. I think that is saying “you get these windows only.” X marks the spot kind of thing. LOL
Awesome post Julia! This is definitely an eye catching way to sell homes. I love how stylish and quirky they all are. I would take these over the lime or creepy dolls anyday!
If you liked the cool, albeit terrifying, shower curtain, Google Shopping “psycho shower curtain” and see what pops up. Maybe this is what they used to stage that bathroom!
P.S. My girlfriend has one in her guest bathroom! haha
When I’m looking at a home, I like to picture how I will live there and I don’t think I would be able to do that with these weird stagings distracting me wherever I look. These would be fun to feature in a magazine or on a website, though.
Those crazy Swedes. IKEA, Volvo and FF. What more could they give the world?
Those crime scene ones made me laugh out loud!!
I think it’s great…it makes people remember!
Without a doubt…, fun, innovative, creative…., but I don’t know why it would convince someone to buy the house. It could come off a bit desperate….
It’s a great way to attract attention to the houses for sale. I wonder if they sold the “crime” house?
That’s just ridiculous.
I think it’s nuts. Sorry for being indecisive, LOL!
I don’t know if I would buy those houses, but it made me really concentrate on the pictures. So in that sense, I guess I would call it a success. Though my eyes were drawn more to the white rabbit and the tie outline than the rest of the decor.
Gotta say, don’t like it much. Creative and quirky, but I wouldn’t want my house marketed that way.
Julia, I love it! Very creative and it makes those marketing photos stacks more memorable. The half empty coffee cups are a fantastic contrast in a 2 dimensional photo. But I have some serious reservations about them looking quite so stylish when you’re standing in the room.
Have to say, I love the patterned splashback in the kitchen. I’m getting ideas….
I love the fun and personality and the way that it humanises what would otherwise be stock photos
I love them – I’d love a shower curtain like the psycho one – so fun!
This is so funny and it’s been done so professionally! Love it
We should open a shop in the states..
Happy summer!
/Tomas CEO @ FANTASTIC FRANK
You should! Come on over!
Love it!! As a Barrie Home Stager I can honestly say, I have never thought of this technique. This home would not soon be forgotten, thats for sure!
These are very interesting photos, although I do not know that they are effective marketing tactics for selling a home!
Fantastik Frank’s technique will definitely make the house more memorable to home shopping-weary clients. Although I applaud the creativity, I think you can work humor into staging without going ‘over-the-top.’ I’ll get to work on it.
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