Reviews

I attended the Understanding Paint and Color & Light class which was VERY informative. I have struggled with selecting wall color. Ms. Simoni’s introduction and explanation (with photo examples) of color and the influences of surroundings was profound for me. Please pass along my thanks and appreciation for an excellent class to GraceAnn and to your library for making this class available.
~ Cindy Gillard

No doubt, this is a tough market! But your staging expertise does it again and again to help the the sellers sell their homes. Many times, I feel my listings sell in below average market time with the assistance of your staging ability. You are very careful about respecting the client’s budget, and making the most of what the client is willing to accomplish. I truly believe that with your help and proper detailing of the home, aggressive marketing and correct pricing make a winning combination and help a seller attain the highest dollar in today’s market!
~ Linda Feinstein

GraceAnn Simoni has become an important part of my team. Her skills, keen eye and gentle but firm bedside manner engage my clients and inspire them to take action. Whether they employ all of her ideas or just a few, the result is a better home presentation that dramatically improves marketability.
An added benefit…I am no longer the bad guy! Instead of a novice opinion that may be interpreted as being too critical, suggestions from a professional are far better received and appreciated. I look forward to selling GraceAnn staged homes for years to come.
~ Mike Dybas CRS, GRI, e-Pro

They took all your suggestions to heart and worked very hard! What a difference! We had 3 offers and probably would have had more if they had continued showings throughout the weekend. They’re very happy. Thank you so much!
~ Rita M Raden, CRS, GRI | Residential Real Estate Broker | Baird & Warner, Downers Grove

Many thanks again for all of the great information and advice that you gave us. It is empowering to look at your home from the perspective of being a seller. Or, in my case, of preparing to be a seller just in case something in my life changes that forces me to become a seller. One thing I know now is that I am nowhere near ready to move.
~ Bonnie

Thank you so much, Grace Ann! Your help the other day was fabulous. XXXX, her family and friends worked hard on Saturday to de- clutter, and her house looks so much bigger already. We will definitely keep in touch about her artwork and decorative accessories. I love seeing items reach a new home to have a second life. Thanks for all of your help. You did a great job with breaking difficult news to overwhelmed sellers!!!! We will be in touch! Kate, Lemont IL

Hi GraceAnn…..I absolutely loved last night’s class — I wasn’t alone in that feeling because I walked out with three others that had attended and we were all gushing about how great it was! Best decision I made was coming to that class. Even though I do not have a lick of talent when it comes to pulling together a room or rooms, it made me realize that I NEED HELP!!! Such a great class…… ~Bloomingdale

You have actually made me happier to be in this home, and I cannot thank you enough for that! You have such a gift in helping people live with their homes with what they have! Thank you! ~ Bloomingdale, IL

What a surprise it was when we walked into our house & saw our living room. We could hardly believe our eyes! It is beautiful beyond words. Your talent, expertise and generosity is sincerely appreciated. Thank you for this “Welcome Home” gift. It will be appreciated for a long, long time. You are truly an angel in our book. George & Pat Pradel Mayor of Naperville & his wife

I was impressed with how updated the space looked with the restrictions placed. The room provided more seating which was wonderful as we entertain family & friends weekly. It seems really pulled together- cozier – with a more cohesive design. The pictures hung up give the room a finished look. Yes, it’s surprising how updated a space can feel. I thought my room was already pulled together but I would have never been able to take the room to the level it is today! I wanted to send you a quick note to thank you for all your very helpful advice today. Having a plan makes a world of difference in my outlook about this undertaking and eliminates lots of stress. Your reviews on Angie’s List are right on. Thanks again! ~ Kathy, Wheaton, IL

Wow, so thrilled. It was a wonderful experience to see what a re-designer could do with most of my own furnishings. My husband surprised me; He was the most apprehensive but loves it and still looks around the rooms and raves! ~ Elizabeth K., Lockport IL

Ahhh. You are so sweet! I love how you are so into the decorating and concern for your clients to be happy in their environment. I truly believe a comfortable setting makes a comfortable and enjoyable home. For example…I know I have beautiful furniture, but the way they were position was not appealing to me. I knew I had to change it around to give the room(s) a “wow” factor but I didn’t know how. Well, that is where your expertise came handy. I like working with you and can’t wait until I start up again. ~ T. C., Elmhurst, IL

Here’s the scoop…Last Fall I had the most marvelous gift bestowed upon me. I was so frustrated with my bedroom and trying to rearrange the furniture to look right and I could not come up with anything. A friend of mine sent her neighbor, who teaches Interior Redesign, over to my house to “redesign a room or 2”. If any of you have seen the new set up in my bedroom or in my living room, you know how much I love it and how much more amazing everything looks. I feel like I am on vacation in my bedroom. She really listened to me and created something I never would have thought of. It’s so creative and gorgeous – just what I wanted. ~ Naperville, IL

Shock? I could not believe my living room/dining room could look so good. I now have more floor space and the rooms are balanced. ~ Betty L., Naperville, IL

As owner of Harrison House Bed & Breakfast, I needed to get my interior rooms back together after a huge renovation. Using mostly the antiques and furnishings I already had, the redesign helped me create the feeling I had always dreamed of for our B&B. GraceAnn has a great sense of style and attention to detail. I recommend her highly. ~ Lynn H., Harrison House B & B

My office looks beautiful thanks to your magic. ~ Mike S., Former President & CEO, Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce

It was so different. I visualized many options but not how it was redesigned. I’m not changing a thing. ~ Mary V., Lemont, IL

I won’t change a thing. That’s what was so wonderful – now it was not only functional, but it looks great, too. ~ Linda R., Geneva, IL

I was very surprised and thought It looked beautiful. I love how you created two rooms out of one space. ~ Debbie Y., Westmont IL

Creatively “out of the box” thinking. I was a little skeptical, but now I’m a believer. ~ Dave S., Burr Ridge, IL

Thank you for giving me the living room and dining room I have always wanted. I would have never thought to arrange things the way you did. I smile every time I enter the room. Thanks ~ Lynn H., Naperville, IL

I still can’t believe “my junk” looks so good. It wasn’t functional before. I hated it, I wouldn’t sit in there. Now I’ll be there all the time. ~ Paula G., Naperville, IL

I absolutely was in awe it was so beautiful. How could all these things be ours? The beauty coupled with the utility is amazing. ~ Mary Anne B., Downers Grove, IL

Thank you for the wonderful job you did on our living room and all the other ideas you gave for us to work on. My husband was very excited to see our old furniture back in play! He was impressed with your creative work! My oldest son (perhaps you overheard him) was a bit distraught with the changes, but by the end of the evening was warming to it all. My youngest son took to it immediately and was wondering where you disappeared to! ~ Michelle S.

You did such a great job of listening and observing and then pulling it all together. You are so talented and I am so glad I found you. I wish I had another new house to start over and do it all again. You gave me such confidence and great direction. I wish I had known you 3 houses ago!! ~ Memory & Bill, Naperville, IL

“GraceAnn of Yours Redesigned transformed my home using only items that I currently owned. By simply moving my existing furniture into more conversational and elegant placement, I feel like I’m living in a new home. It made all the same furnishings feel new. She showed such creativity in giving the house a fresh look. I couldn’t wait to show it off to my friends!” ~ Angela L.

A simple ‘thank you’ does not seem appropriate for what you have given our family! You were more than generous with your time, and I will forever be grateful to you. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this move without you …starting with the staging. I would have wasted years as well as a lot of money trying to accomplish what you did in a matter of hours! You are so talented and I appreciate your patience. Thanks again, and I look forward to passing your name along to everyone I can! ~ Beth H.

I just want to tell you how much I enjoyed working with you today. You made a tedious and stressful process tons of fun! You are a truly gifted person. Of course I called all my friends and told them about you and everyone wants your number so hopefully, I can send you lots of referrals. I can’t wait to get my color samples and look at them in the sunshine and in the evening light. Thanks again for a great experience. I really haven’t had that much fun in I can’t remember how long. ~ Janeen B.

I was really hating the room. I was considering selling my couch and love seat in a garage sale. There was a wall hanging, rectangular piece of art that I just didn’t know where to hang, was going to sell that too! Plus the room was heavy to one side and I didn’t know what to do with this one corner — Now I LOVE the room. I call it my throne room. Sit in there all the time and not selling a thing!

I would recommend because sometimes you can’t see the forest through the trees especially in your own home. You come, and go, clean and entertain and envy someone else’s room. If you hire someone and they just use your items with their skill and suddenly you have the room of your dreams and didn’t even know it was possible.

I was in awe of how beautiful the bedrooms were! The office is the smallest bedroom, yet it looks so much larger now. I love the way you staged my diploma and awards on the bookshelves. And thank you so much for the suggestion to display my beautiful Shaklee products on the bookshelves rather than hiding them in the closet. The closet is or the junkier stuff! Now that I’ve experienced home styling and color consultation the most dramatic and obvious change come from the hone styling. But the color consultation was the foundation of the project. So I benefited from both. I’ve been so afraid of applying color, as you well know. Everything was vanilla before. So I really appreciate you suggesting and challenging me to try something new. I love, love, love the Spring Violet in my office!

This was the easiest and best experience I have had with someone helping me decorate any part of my house!

You have actually made me happier to be in this home, and I cannot thank you enough for that! You have such a gift in helping people live with their homes with what they have! Thank you! ~ Bloomingdale, IL

Hi GraceAnn……well, you are a hit with my friends. Everyone has been coming over to see the “magic” that you performed and were duly impressed. We all thought this room was a lost cause — until YOU showed up. I absolutely love what you did……thank you so much for helping me to love this house more!! And, I did order the chandelier below that you suggested. I think it will make a difference over that table. Thank you so much for taking the time to find this lamp for me…… Thank you, again, GraceAnn! I am a believer in what you can do. ~ J.L., Bloomingdale, IL

I re-visit the room more frequently and find myself using the desk area to get work done. It’s wonderful to have my own space. My husband was so amazed we didn’t need to go out an buy all new furniture and accessories. He actually agreed with the ‘wish list ‘ and I feel more confident that I will select the right items. The Guidance and visual examples you showed were so helpful to me. ~ Western Springs, IL

After my husband saw what our bedroom looked like he even said he was ready to paint! We’ve been in this house for 2 years and thought we needed to save $$ for a remodel. It’s amazing how we can feel more settled just by placing the furniture in a better places. Our room isn’t as big a project as we first thought. Can’t wait to paint and finally settle into our new space. Also we both seem to be sleeping better too! It feels right. Thank you! ~ L.K., Western Springs, IL

GraceAnn and crew, I want to tell you how much I LOVE my family room. My husband absolutely loves it, too, so you and your team hit a home run! ? I keep walking over to the doorway and continue to take it all in and marvel at what you did in such a short amount of time. I didn’t know that room could look so good! It really looks and feels amazing in there. It feels spacious, yet cozy, and cheerful. The service that you provide is an amazing way to breathe new life into a room/house without expending a lot of cash. You came up with so many fresh ideas that surprised me (and I loved) which made it even more fun. The little changes that you made elsewhere in the house are also really great. There isn’t anything that I would change! ? ~ L.J., Lisle, IL

I wanted to share a great experience that I had last week with GraceAnn of Yours Redesigned. My family room was looking very tired… after many years in this house, I knew I needed to do something in there but really did not know where to begin. I did not want to spend much money and I had a difficult time purging. So many books, pictures, trinkets that held memories were difficult for me to purge from the room. I needed outside help to update the look. GraceAnn first came out and met with me for a consultation and we discussed what were some of our needs for the room and she shared some of her tentative ideas with me. She then returned about a week later to do the restyling. In an afternoon my family room was reborn and looks amazing! I left and came back in when it was finished I was absolutely astonished at what she was able to do with existing items in my home. She also listened and responded to the needs that I expressed for the room. If you are looking to stage your home before selling or are just a bit lost like me, I highly recommend her services. It’s been so much fun to come home each day and get excited to see that room! ~ Linda J., Oak Hill South, IL

Thanks so much for the beauty you’re helping us create!! ~ C.J., Willowbrook, IL

I was concerned that I didn’t have enough ‘right’ furniture for either space. I was afraid my room’s wouldn’t be worth your time and effort. I was Wrong! The redesign makes an amazing first impression when people come in my home. I didn’t realize the space could be used this way. It’s so much more inviting and I want to sit in the room rather than just walk through it. ~ Western Springs, IL

Today was totally amazing. After you left Dani and I sat in the living room and just enjoyed the moment. Unbelievable to me. My husband honestly loved it. At first he said, “I am impressed.” Then he said, “I didn’t expect to be this impressed.” Great job by you and your class. You did things I have tried to envision (like a table behind my couch) and did it in such an unexpected way (using the sewing machine). I also couldn’t see past the square box of the room – and therefore thought a table would block things. I have envisioned change for so long and was blown away by the possibilities. Your work has given me so much food for thought especially as I keep finding hidden treasures that you uncovered. Concerns: Nothing really. I was already committed to changing the space. I did not realize you would draw from things throughout the house – I might have been more worried about the messes that abound if I had known that. But it was a brilliant way to go. I was glad it was the day after my cleaning service! Initial reaction: Thrilled! Surprised! Incredulous both at the work done and the effort it must have taken. One sentence: This was a transformation beyond my expectations in that it made the space more livable and also showcased out life’s interests in a perfect way. Value to price: This is the cost effective way to go! Great value for the money – like getting an entirely new home. Again, Grace Ann, thanks. I will let you know when someone in my circle is looking for redesign work. Janet

Here’s the scoop…Last Fall I had the most marvelous gift bestowed upon me. I was so frustrated with my bedroom and trying to rearrange the furniture to look right and I could not come up with anything. A friend of mine sent her neighbor, who teaches Interior Redesign, over to my house to “redesign a room or 2”. If any of you have seen the new set up in my bedroom or in my living room, you know how much I love it and how much more amazing everything looks. I feel like I am on vacation in my bedroom. She really listened to me and created something I never would have thought of. It’s so creative and gorgeous – just what I wanted.

A simple “thank you” does not seem appropriate for what you have given our family! You were more than generous with your time, and I will forever be grateful to you. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this move without you…starting with the staging. I would have wasted years as well as a lot of money trying to accomplish what you did in a matter of hours! You are so talented, and I appreciate your patience. Thanks again, and I look forward to passing your name along to everyone I can! ~ Beth H.

Those lights at 208 Rosewood look amazing. And your paint colors rock. Thanks for your help! ~ P., Westmont, IL

No doubt, this is a tough market! But your staging expertise does it again and again to help the the sellers sell their homes. Many times, I feel my listings sell in below average market time with the assistance of your staging ability. You are very careful about respecting the client’s budget, and making the most of what the client is willing to accomplish. I truly believe that with your help and proper detailing of the home, aggressive marketing and correct pricing make a winning combination and help a seller attain the highest dollar in today’s market! ~ Linda Feinstein, Real Estate Agent, REMAX Signature, Hinsdale, IL

GraceAnn Simoni and Yours Redesigned have become an important part of my team. Her skills, keen eye and gentle but firm bedside manner engage my clients and inspire them to take action. Whether they employ all of her ideas or just a few, the result is a better home presentation that dramatically improves marketability. An added benefit…I am no longer the bad guy! Instead of a novice opinion that may be interpreted as being too critical, suggestions from a professional are far better received and appreciated. I look forward to selling GraceAnn staged homes for years to come. ~ Mike Dybas CRS, GRI, e-Pro, Bartlett, IL

Thank you GraceAnn! Your feedback was critical in us getting a contract within 6 days of listing!! ~ Staging Client

I wanted to thank you so much for running your expert eye over our house. I knew you were exactly the right person for the job. Your assessments were right on the money. We could tell easily that your suggestions would make a vast improvement in the sale ability of a home ‘very lived in’. Thank you I look forward to more of your advice in the future. ~ G. K., Oak Park, IL

“The first open house was held yesterday. I saw the way everything was laid out and it was great considering what you had to work with! A few who went through the open house commented to the broker — ‘this looks like a model’ — does anyone live here.” ~ Ivy B., Chicago, IL

Just wanted to let you know we have a 2nd showing today on the client’s home. Looks like your business does work! The agent who showed it yesterday and going to show it again today, saw it before and now afterwards. She told me it was a GREAT improvement, which I already knew! Thanks again! I look forward to you helping get more of my listings sold! ~ Carmen Keslin, Realtor, Palos Park, IL

Thank you so very much for the total house “makeover” today! I was absolutely stunned by the quality of your work, and the collective creativity that proved to be a definite recipe for success! Seeing my own furniture and accessories used in new and exciting ways made me feel as though I was walking through a brand new home…no, a MODEL home! You gave “odds and ends” new life that radiated an aura of ” House Beautiful” from top to bottom. Truly, you are more than Stagers, you seem to be somewhat of Alchemists who can change a lump of coal into a diamond! I am forever grateful. There is no doubt that our house will sell quickly, even in this tough market. Please extend my heartfelt thanks again to your crew. They were all sweethearts! ~ Janet A. and family, Algonquin, IL

Hi Grace Ann, I have taken one of your [2 hour]classes in the past so gladly get your emails. Know I can ask a realtor but remember how dynamic you were at the seminar. Think I can get some great help from you! Sandy

GraceAnn, Thank you SO very much for joining Starting Point realty for our Thursday’s “lunch and Learn”! Everyone agrees you were one of the best seminars and we loved learning more about utilizing home design in real estate sales. We appreciate your time and look forward to working with you in the near future! ~ Brianna W.

Wanted you to know that we had put out house on the market on Monday this week and had 4 offers by Tuesday. Thank you!!! A job well done! Now we are working on an offer for our new space. Which I will be calling you for help in arranging! ~ Diana B.

As a realtor, I took a basic staging course through our park district which was taught by GraceAnn Simoni. I enjoyed that course thoroughly and was very excited to see that she had a more in-depth program where I could learn a lot more about home staging and practice it as well. The three day course was even better than I had expected. We had the opportunity to stage a home that was occupied as well as a vacant one with rental furniture. The experience has helped me develop my skills. I look forward to, some day, being able to attend her redesign class as well. ~ Jill A., Graduate, Naperville, IL

“I really enjoyed your class and your teaching style! You made the class very interesting and fun!” ~ Linda S

GraceAnn thank you for the great class. I am so excited to get started and can’t wait for the certification program. Your class environment is informative and interactive. The small class size is a great way to meet others interested in the field. ~ Meghann H., Graduate

Training Reviews

Dear GraceAnn, A big thank you for talking with us today and helping us with some of the things that weren’t working real well. We came away with many ideas that we will definitely incorporate into our business. We have now been in business for over 10 years. We cannot tell you how invaluable both your redesign course and your staging course were in teaching us how to develop our own professional, creative and efficient business. You provided us with the tools, the concepts, and the foundation to make our business something that we absolutely love doing and have been successful with. We think it is important to tell you that what sets you apart from all the other courses out there (and we considered many of them) is that we received hands on experience in clients’ homes, learning the process of redesign and staging, in a small class. We could never have learned this from on-line classes or from classes with lots of students. We were able to take the information and the physical experience of redesigning rooms and launch our business right from the start. Having before and after pictures from the actual rooms we worked on helped so much in beginning our website and to give potential clients honest pictures of our work, not pictures from the internet done by others. We also appreciate that you have always been there for us if we have questions or need guidance along the way. Thank you, thank you! Kathy Gholson & Leslie Kroker Take II Staging & Redesign Services www.take-ii.com

Very positive! I enjoyed the entire week! The best part was the hands-on re-design at the clients home. To actually perform a re-design from start to finish was great. It really demonstrates the amount of thinking and planning that goes into a good design. There wasn’t any worst part!

I really enjoyed the training! Learned so much and was energized to dive into this work. Thanks you for sharing your learnings from your years in this field. The hands-on redesign & stagings were the part I got the most of. It was helpful to see how the redesign process worked in real life. I also really appreciated the guidance re: business management.

“I really enjoyed your class and your teaching style! You made the class very interesting and fun!” ~ Linda S

GraceAnn thank you for the great class. I am so excited to get started and can’t wait for the certification program. Your class environment is informative and interactive. The small class size is a great way to meet others interested in the field. ~ Meghann H., Graduate

I am finally feeling confident and am beginning to set things up. You are a fantastic mentor. Thank you for all you do. ~ C.Z., Downers Grove, IL

Thank you for sharing both content and knowledge with us. I know you also have opened the door for ongoing professional relationships with you and others. I’m honored to have you as a mentor. ~ Glen Ellyn

What a lovely team of ladies you brought with you! I hope that each of them has great success as they go out on their own. They’ve learned from the best so that will definitely give them a leg up on the competition! We are very grateful for the time and thought and work that went into revamping the room. We feel so fortunate to have been selected as one of your project houses. ~ L.J., Lisle, IL

Thank you for an amazing week! I learned so many things in your class and I am excited to put all of it into action as soon as I have set up my business. In the meantime, I would love to assist with any of your upcoming projects and would also love to see you again. You are a wonderful teacher and your warm personality and positive attitude made the classes fun and the week go by so quickly. ~ Shazia, Chicago, IL

Hi, I know it’s been forever since my training, but I’ve gotten really good at measuring and hanging stuff. If you remember, it was something I never wanted to do and waited for someone else to do. I was with clients Sunday afternoon and was educating the husband in the art of hanging 2 pictures side by side. So, thank you! ~ Beth, Madison, IL

I am so grateful to have found you (actually the credit belongs to my hubby!) and had the privilege of attending your seminar. You gave us a wealth of information to take with us and also some great tools and supplies – thank you! If we don’t make good use of it, it’s our own fault! I really appreciated your good natured approach to mentoring and advising. You have just the right touch. It gave us the confidence we needed. You were so kind to send your lovely note with the words of encouragement. I hope we can stay in touch! ~ Sarah, Kentwood,

I don’t think you’ll ever know how much you changed my life and inspired me. I have had a rough few years and really been on my own since I was 18 years old. Now that I finally am settled, I can start following my dream, and You are the reason I can do so. Your love for helping others to follow their dreams & Passions radiate from you. I think there are few people you come across that not only impact your life but give as as much love as you have given to me. Just being around you makes me a better person, thank you for that. I don’t have a lot of money, yet!, but would have paid triple that to take this class and learn what I did! Thank you for everything! ~ Emily, Des Plaines, IL

For anyone interested in learning everything there is to know about the redesign and home staging trade from a professional, well-respected, high energy and ultra-talented instructor…Grace Ann is the person to contact. Her personalized approach, attention to detail and willingness to share all she knows about the industry makes for the optimum learning experience. As a fellow redesign and staging instructor, I highly recommend Grace Ann and her business. ~ Sandy Dixon, Evergreen, CO

My training at MRSI was central to my ability to be able to launch my own decorating company. GraceAnn has a broad-base of knowledge of all facets of the industry, is personable and very creative. Her courses are an excellent blend of classroom instruction and field training. As a class, we were completing redesigns by our second day of class. ~ Beth B., Hinsdale, IL

Few redesigners and stagers are as talented as GraceAnn is. She has a keen ability to redesign a room such that the architecture is best complimented and the furniture layout is the most visually appealing as well as functional. In addition, GraceAnn is a gifted teacher and mentor, infusing her certification courses with knowledge gained from her vast experience as a redesign and staging professional. ~ Beth B., Madison, WI

The hands-on training was ‘priceless’. I’m thrilled to be part of this network of professional stagers and redesigners. ~ Janice K., Graduate, Whitemore Lake, MI

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the Home Staging certification course last week. I have been following your advice to get the word out each day talking to at least one person. I was so delighted that I had this opportunity and enjoyed meeting Jenna and Janice as well as yourself – you are truly an inspiration. Also I have been reading my manual in preparation for the exam and know this is going to be an exciting career and one I will love – I feel very confident about that and you are so right – there is nothing better than doing something you love. Thank you again! ~ Maureen, Graduate, Normal, IL

We were all in such a hurry to leave yesterday and I didn’t get a chance to thank you personally for such a wonderful class. I learned so much about the staging industry and also valuable ‘tricks of the trade’ to make staging faster and safer. The mix between in-class instruction and hands-on experience was a great way to put theory into practice. Loved it. Thank You – I will definitely recommend your class to anyone who’s interested in joining the industry. ~ Denise, Graduate

Oh thank you so much. You just made my day! I really enjoyed your class. I love your teaching method. You’re the best! ~ Rosalyn P., Graduate, Chicago, IL

I recently took the staging classes taught by GraceAnn, and I got much more than I had expected. I was very impressed by her knowledge, experience, high energy, and enthusiasm. The class was very informative, and it was great to have hands-on experience as well. Most of all, this training guides you in detail on how to start your own business with necessary information and useful tips. I am very satisfied and happy that I chose Midwest Staging and Re-design Institute. GraceAnn’s energy and knowledge engaged me and were vital for me to raise the courage to start a new career. ~ Rose G., Graduate, Aurora, IL

GraceAnn Simoni is the ultimate teaching professional! She is warm, interested (and interesting), and aware of her students needs. The 5 day course I attended gave me more than I anticipated in terms of knowledge, confidence, and know-how. The experience of hands-on redesign in the client’s home was invaluable. The spot on information for business start up, perfect. I can personally attest to the wonderful opportunity available for follow up advice and information after class is over. I would highly recommend the Midwest Staging and Redesign Institute to anyone considering a career in this field. ~ Joyce H., Graduate, Park Ridge, IL

Grace Ann’s redesign course was great! She is able to pull the best out of her students. I learned so much more than I could have imagined about redesigning spaces. Her course has given me the confidence I needed to pursue work as an interior redesigner. I highly recommend the Midwest Staging and Redesign Institute!” ~ Terri U., Graduate, Niles, IL

I am so excited about the education and experience I got by attending Midwest Staging and Redesign Institute! GraceAnn is one of the best of the best! She makes the book knowledge easy to understand and her expertise at the actual stagings was invaluable!!!! I am so grateful that I chose MSRI to get my certification! ~ Sandi P., Graduate, Muscatine, IA

I call it a happy bit of luck that I found the Midwest Staging Redesign Institute while looking on the web one early morning. I made one of the wisest decisions of my life to push that enroll tab. The knowledge and energy that the instructor, GraceAnn, shared with the class was wonderful. She gave me the experience and confidence to start my own business. Without this opportunity, I would still be dreaming of being a stager and redesigner without making this big step into starting a business. I want to truly thank GraceAnn for all her support both during the training and also following our completion of the class. Thank you so much Midwest Staging Redesign Institute and GraceAnn. ~ Claudia C., GraduateFox River Grove, IL

The class was fun and very informative. The hands-on redesigns were very valuable. GraceAnn is a passionate energetic instructor. Thank you for a great 5 days! ~ Cathy S., Graduate, Leelanau, MI

The 5 day course was packed with information! GraceAnn is an energetic, passionate trainer, who made the class fun as well as informative. The hands-on redesigning was very valuable. It left the trainees feeling confident that we had gained the knowledge needed to start our own business. Thank you GraceAnn! ~ Cathy S., Graduate, Leelanau, MI

KUDO’S Grace Ann on a job well done!!! I enjoyed your class so much and walked away with more confidence and skills than anticipated. I started by redesign business in 2003 and learned more in your 5 day class then I could ever teach myself. Thank-You!!! ~ Shelley A., Graduate, Naperville, IL

Hi GraceAnn, Thank you so much for a great week of training and fun! I learned so much and truly enjoyed the opportunity to do redesigns in a variety of homes (the hands on training certainly helped with my confidence level). Your training manuals are great resources that I’m sure I’ll refer to often. I’m so glad I chose Midwest Staging and Redesign Institute for my training (more importantly, I’m glad I had you as my trainer). Thanks again for everything and I’ll keep in touch! P.S. I just received by Benjamin Moore paint kit and can’t wait to play with the color samples. ~ Mary K., Graduate, Sterling Heights, MI

I loved this class! It didn’t just train me on appropriate & creative furniture placement or how to bring beauty to a room through lighting techniques & accessorizing. I also received training regarding the business angle of staging and redesign. The instructors made the whole week so much fun as well as informative. The best part, though, was the actual “hands-on” experience of redesigning real client homes. This part of the class really helped build everyone’s’ confidence in applying everything that we’d learned. ~ Cynthia M., Graduate, Bartlett, IL

GraceAnn was a terrific instructor. She had the redesign expertise, and shared her home business experiences as well. She made class fun and informative and was very good and building up your confidence so that YOU TOO CAN REDESIGN! ~ Marcella H., Graduate, Grand Rapids, MI

This was one to the best experiences of my life. Little did I know that this was something that I had been trying to do for years. I was very fortunate to have found GraceAnn on the web. She was phenomenal. And she certainly does her homework. This makes class both in the classroom and out in the field interesting, informative, and creative. GraceAnn is the perfect instructor. She brings so much of herself, and her ideas, as a part of her program, that she creates confidence in you and is always accessible to you. When I advertise that I have graduated from MSRI, which is connected to IRIS and HGTV people always pay more attention and want more input. Thank you so much! ~ Linda M., Graduate, Franfort, IL

Midwest Staging Redesign is one of the best courses I have taken. I was taught how to transform any room into a beautiful space in one week. Working alone side with Grace Ann and other team redesigners was truly a great experience for me. ~ Kushonda W., Graduate, LaGrange Park, IL

For anyone who is considering taking redesign or staging courses I highly recommend the Midwest Staging Redesign Institute. The course was very comprehensive covering interior design basics and also providing homes where the students could apply all that we had learned during the course. I was very impressed by the quality of the course books, the format of the class, meals that were provided and all the additional information and products that were given to us to help us succeed with our new businesses. After the classes were completed the instructors help guide us with setting up our business and even referred clients to us. How encouraging to have instructors who really care about us and our success. I feel they fully prepared me for staging and redesigning our client’s homes. ~ Joanne, Graduate, Vernon Hills, IL

I am a former student of both the Redesign and the Staging Class. I was most impressed by the entire experience, beginning with the prompt response to my on-line registration. I received a personal call from GraceAnn Simoni, the instructor, who spent the time with me on the phone helping me understand the difference between the two courses, what was included in the courses, and how I would benefit from both of them. The courses were extremely professional, in terms of the materials provided as well as the content. GraceAnn is an excellent instructor, who not only shares her own wealth of experience with the class, but takes the time to make the classes very hands-on, informative, interesting, and fun! There are multiple opportunities to work on-site at homes that are previously selected for the purposes of redesign or staging, and opportunities provided to work directly with GraceAnn, who continues to guide the class while providing individual instruction when requested. Unlike other courses, the relationship with MSRI does not end when the class ends. It continues, if so desired, with networking opportunities, connections to other national Redesign and Staging organizations, and the ability for exposure on a national web site. I highly recommend this course for anyone who is interested in a career in Redesign and Staging, and who is looking for the most professional organization with which to be affiliated. ~ Marianne Y., Graduate, Lemont, IL

I am pleased to comment on my experience attending the 5 day ReDesign course last August. First, I would like to say that Grace Ann is a wonderful teacher with a very organized and interesting class day schedule. She combined hands on experience as well as class room instruction that included a lot of visual aids. The class was fun, thorough and of course my classmates were great. The materials I came home with have been very useful with lots of resources .I have just recently been focusing on getting my business going. I researched the many training organizations and methods before choosing MSRI for my training. I knew that I was a “hands on visual” person and didn’t think the teleconferencing style would be as beneficial. I am returning in July to take the Home Staging course and really looking forward to the experience. Grace Ann is a wonderful mentor and a very valuable resource and I highly recommend her courses. She has a contagious passion that brings great energy to the class. ~ Sarah S., Graduate, Arden Hills, MN

I truly enjoyed the MSRI. Graceann was a pleasure to work with and an inspiration when it came to redesign. The course was informative and very hands-on, as was the size of the class. It was perfect for one-on-one attention. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in pursuing a new career. ~ Christy F., Graduate, Fortville, IN

I really enjoyed the Real Estate Staging class I took with the Midwest Staging Redesign Institute and would recommend it to others looking at getting into this business. The actual experience to go to several homes to stage them was so beneficial. You are provided with everything you need to setup your own business. I am looking forward to taking the Redesign course in the future. ~ Rachel C., Graduate, Burlington, WI

The Midwest Staging Redesign Institute is a well designed program to teach the aspects of redesign and staging. The classroom study was informative and visually stimulating. Being able to have the hands on experience of working on homes was very exciting. The homes selected when I went through the class were all different and gave us an idea of what we would see and work with once we were out on our own. GraceAnn is a wonderful, warm, engaging instructor. ~ Beth Curtis, Redesign 2 Shine, Inc., April 2007 Graduate

I took the 3 day staging class with Grace Ann and it was an invaluable “hands on” course! The experience of staging two homes, with GraceAnn’s guidance was the opportunity, not only to put to use what I was learning in class but helped me gain confidence. In addition, the class instruction and handouts were tremendously beneficial in helping me start my own business the right way. Furthermore, Grace Ann has been available to answer questions as I started my business, “Romancing Your Home” which is so appreciated. I highly recommend Grace Ann and the Midwest Staging Redesign Institute. ~ Joan F., Graduate, Holt, MI

I took the 3 day staging class with MSRI and Grace Ann’s method is clear, concise and easy to understand and implement. The “hands on” experience is priceless. She encourages and guides you long after the class is over. She is personable and professional and I highly recommend her course. I even took a refresher course! ~ Iolanda, Graduate, North Barrington, IL

I thoroughly enjoyed my training class at the Midwest Staging Redesign Institute. The hands-on experience was a great opportunity and our instructor was very friendly and knowledgeable about the business. I would definitely take classes there again. ~ Vicki S., Graduate, Davenport, IA

Attending MSRI Redesign class was a great experience for me. With the small class size of only 5, we received a wealth of information, hand-outs and hands on experience. I don’t know what else could have been squeezed into our 1 week class. GraceAnn is an excellent instructor as well as very nice and easy to talk with. I would and have recommended her to anyone looking for redesign or staging. ~ Judy, Graduate, St. Charles, MO

The staging class was incredibly informative. There were no topics left uncovered. If you are interested in home staging, this class is a must. ~ Cherie J., Graduate,New Lenox, IL

I read about the MSRI in my local newspaper, and thought “I finally found what I have been waiting for!” Grace Ann was not only informative, but funny, knowledgeable, and interesting. Her warm personality made the class a success for me. I learned everything I needed to start my own business. I am so excited to be starting this next phase of my life doing what I love. Though I felt I had the “instincts” of how to do redesign and staging, I now have the backing of a completed program to give me the validation of a professional. A big thank-you to Grace Ann for a wonderful program, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in this field! ~ Chris N., Graduate, Naperville, IL

I’m very proud to be a certified Interior redesign from Midwest Redesign Institute. The teacher is very informative and very easy to understand. And the thing I most like about Midwest Redesign Institute is once you are a student of theirs; you will always be their student. You can always ask GraceAnn anytime in the future about question you might have regarding the field, insurance, how to get incorporated and everything that you might want to know. She was always sincere to help us, that’s awesome. And I’m very confidence about doing redesign anytime and anywhere because of them. ~ Randy R., Graduate, Chicago, IL

Midwest Staging Redesign Institute is the best! GraceAnn is a wonderful teacher, and I say teacher because she not only taught about staging and redesign but also life experiences in the business. She taught us how rewarding a career in staging and redesign could be not only financially but emotionally as well. The class was taught very professional and personal. I learned so much and felt very welcomed and relaxed. I left the class with the knowledge and confidence to start and build a very rewarding career and how to make a difference in someone’s life. I would highly recommend the Midwest Staging Redesign Institute. ~ Jennifer P., Graduate, Granite City, IL

Hi there: I am a Canadian and my boyfriend lives in Naperville, so I was very excited to learn that I could take a staging course in Naperville. The class was small and I was able to learn so much from GraceAnn. I also know that anyone who lives in that area or in the States gets referrals from the school and can also work with GraceAnn on occasion, which gives them a heads up on their business and also gives them the constant support of GraceAnn. What did we do, you ask? We had classroom advice and lessons every morning, and then we went out to homes in the afternoon and applied what we had learnt in the morning. I would definitely go back to take another course with Midwest Staging Redesign Institute. GraceAnn made the course easy to understand and gave us the right supplies to go with the information. ~ L.S., Graduate, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

I was very apprehensive when I signed up for MSRI. I thought so many things would be above my head. I am happy to say that the class was not only very easy to follow but, inspirational, insightful, helpful, interesting, and loads of hands on. I thoroughly enjoyed the instructor, GraceAnn Simoni, She appreciated your input and was able to add practical points. I am very glad I participated and graduated from MSRI. I also find the people I talk to about business are much more receptive to my ideas when they find out about credentials. Thanks again for everything. ~ Linda M., Graduate, Frankfort, IL

Graceann did a great job of making the class fun, informative and fast paced. We especially enjoyed the hands on projects, when we could see our talents come to life in a beautifully redesigned home. The knowledge I gained in this course has helped me immensely in starting my own business in redesign and staging. Thanks Graceann! ~ Molly D., Graduate, Western Springs, IL

I took the 3 day staging class with Grace Ann and it was awesome! I had researched many other classes and found most were available online only. I chose MSRI because it was a “hands on” course. Grace Ann’s instruction along with staging two homes gave me the ability to put in to practice what she talked about in class. The class was very informative and fun!! Thanks for helping me move on to this next phase in my life! ~ Margi K., Graduate, Naperville, IL

I cannot say enough good things about Midwest Staging and Grace Ann Simoni. Not only was the class informative, but fun as well. I left feeling more confident in pursuing my own business and with enough information to help me get started. All I can say is that I was very happy that I chose Midwest Staging over other institutes. Everyone was wonderful to work with. ~ Jan B., Graduate, Green Bay, WI

I did my home work on picking the right school to take my training. And boy did I make the right choice. Not only did I learn more than I thought I would, but any time I have a question, help, or just need to talk, Grace Ann is always there for me. Little did I know I would also gain a friend. I now do trade shows, speak to groups, do color, staging and also redesign. I have also sent several other students to this school, and they all loved it. ~ Lindsay C., Graduate, Grand Haven, MI

GraceAnn is an amazingly talented woman. Working with her was a wonderful experience and she helped me gain knowledge that a book just would not provide. Midwest Staging Redesign Institute was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend the programs provided. ~ Jamie, Graduate, Sugar Grove, IL