About Lara Fransen, Founder and Designer at Staged Upstate

A middle-aged woman with curly blonde hair, smiling, seated indoors. She is wearing a navy blue dress with white trim, pearl jewelry, and sitting on a striped white and blue blanket.

How I Started Staged Upstate

Hey there, I’m Lara, founder and owner of Staged Upstate. I have always had a love for creating beautiful spaces. After a decade-long career in real estate, I launched Staged Upstate to help Realtors and sellers navigate the world of post-COVID market trends, and ultimately sell their homes more quickly and for a greater profit! My experience in real estate, my design sense, and DIY skills all enable me to create a great experience for my clients.

I understand that you have limited time to dedicate to remodeling or staging a home so that it sells quickly and for the best possible price. I hope that you’ll let me do that work for you, and I’ll not only deliver an absolutely stunning and comfortable space for potential buyers, but one that will help them feel at home in that space as well.

I promise to take incredible care of you and your clients, every step of the way!

Three women and one young man sitting on a couch, smiling, with a wall art display of butterflies behind them.

When I’m Not Working…

When I’m not designing home layouts, moving furniture, or accessorizing rooms, I love spending time with my two kids, Ashlyn and Carter. Ashlyn is working in human resources in Greenville, SC, and Carter is studying mechanical engineering as a sophomore at Clemson University. I’m so proud of all they’ve accomplished, and the wonderful humans they’re becoming!

I also keep quite busy with 6 fur babies - 2 Great Danes, 1 Pittie, and 3 cats. While they do require a lot of work, they bring so much joy and wonderful companionship to my life.

Kayaking, travel, the foodie scene, building furniture, and general DIY all fill the rest of any free time I have. My hobbies not only keep me entertained, but inform my work in home staging as well!