On the couch with Anna Boswell
Anna Boswell, Styled at Home.
Styled at Home is an interior design and home staging business that specialises in transforming properties for sale. Nelson Magazine talks to owner Anna Boswell about how she helps homeowners to present their spaces in the best possible light, ensuring a lasting impression on potential buyers.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind Styled at Home?
Styled at Home was born from a gap I saw in the market and my passion for interior design. After buying and selling a few properties myself, I found the process of preparing homes for open houses to be exciting. One day, a real estate agent suggested I do something with my love for staging, which planted the seed. Though I come from a background in early childhood teaching, I kept hearing that you should turn what you love into your profession. I have an eye for detail and truly enjoy making homes look their absolute best, so launching Styled at Home felt like a natural next step for me.
What services does the Styled at Home team offer, and how do they cater to the needs of your clients?
Our main focus is property staging. About 90% of the properties we work on are vacant, which gives us a clean slate to work with. We also offer partial staging, where we help clients declutter and style their homes using some of their existing furniture. This service is especially helpful for downsizing clients or families managing a deceased estate.
What are some common challenges you face when staging a property?
One of the biggest challenges can be access—getting furniture in and out of certain properties can be tricky, and the weather can make this process even more difficult. It’s not ideal to be moving furniture in the rain! Partial stages can also be more time-consuming because we need to carefully blend the existing furniture with the new pieces we bring in, while being tactful about clients’ personal tastes. Selling a home can be an emotional journey, so we work hard to help clients shift their mindset to one where they see their property changing hands.
What continues to drive your passion for your role?
I’m always motivated by seeing how a full-stage setup can transform a property. We recommend a five-week staging package, as it gives plenty of time for photography and showcasing the property in its best light. During quieter months, we offer six or seven-week packages, and extensions are available if needed, depending on demand. Since starting Styled at Home two years ago, the business has grown exponentially and organically. I now have a fantastic team of people helping me. We currently have enough furniture and decor to stage 12 homes—and we’re still growing! It’s really rewarding to see the business evolve, and I’m excited for what’s to come as we continue to help people present their homes at their best.