It sounds a bit odd, I agree, but then Elaine Penhaul isn’t your average 50 something.
So why does she own 40 sofas, 56 beds and 18 dining room tables?
Director of Lemon and Lime Interiors and an avid property investor, Elaine has found success with her professional property dressing service - and she says that with the help of these items of furniture, your home could sell in an average of just 30 days.
Elaine says that of the sold properties the firm has professionally presented in the last year across Nottingham and Derbyshire, 64 percent accepted offers in 10 days or less.
She said: “My passion for property dressing comes from a penchant for style developed over the years as a property investor.
"I became fascinated with how something as simple as styling could take an unsellable home from zero to hero in a matter of days, and secure the full asking price for the vendor.
“A lot of our work comes from deceased estates, where family members are keen for a quick sale.
"In many cases these homes are outdated, cluttered and are in desperate need of a revamp.
"With a price tag of less than one percent of the property’s value, the service is also becoming a no-brainer with big local agents. Many offer the Lemon and Lime Interiors service to their clients, especially if the market has become stagnant for them."
Originally a concept from the USA known as ‘home-staging’, the firm has developed the service to make it accessible to the UK market, and include other complementary services such as de-cluttering, styling and furniture rental.
Elaine continued: “The property market has been a buyer’s market for several years now which leaves those ready to purchase with the upper hand.
"Often, they only want to invest their hard-earned cash in a property which looks as though it has been cared for, well-maintained and is ready for them simply to move in to.
"Unfortunately, many of us don’t live in homes which routinely look like a high-end interiors magazine photo shoot. This is where professional presentation can make a dramatic difference to your sale.
“We rent a huge warehouse in Derbyshire which is packed to the rafters with furniture and artwork available to rent.
"At the moment, I think we own 40 sofas, 56 beds and 18 dining room tables! It is anything but conventional!”.
