Van Cott Design Group provides complete residential staging services to create incredible value when selling your home. Our staging design consultants transform empty homes into showpieces that buyers can envision living in, or work with homeowners' existing furnishings by adding just the right touch to create maximum value.
Van Cott Design Group is a full service staging firm that works in partnership with the real estate community and homeowners on the San Francisco Peninsula. Attention to detail, premier client service, and professionalism are signatures of this firm.
Our expansive list of services includes:
How are we different:
"We can't let this evening go by without a heartfelt note to you, Cori, and to every member of your team who together have made our home stunning!
Thank you to each and every one of you. Your vision, taste, curation of beautiful pieces, color hues, artwork, care, and attention to detail perfectly showcase every space. Impeccable work! We connected from the moment we met, and felt that you understood our home and what we were envisioning. Thank you, Cary, Cori and team!"
Elizabeth & Rafael, Palo Alto
"Working with the Van Cott design team is collaborative and creative. They consistently make our homes feel more livable and inviting and help potential buyers visualize how they may live in our homes. They are a pleasure to work with in every regard. I am grateful to work with your team! Thank you so much."
Susie O. Frimel, O'Brien Custom Homes
"Sally
Your team is doing an amazing job. Thanks for everything, I really appreciate it."
Mary Gullixson, Compass
"You guys nailed it it's exquisite."
Judy Citron, Compass
I just wanted to thank you for another beautifully staged home. We have trusted Van Cott with the staging of the majority of our listings over the years and your firm has yet to disappoint. Your attention to detail and high standards set you apart from the rest. Our most recent collaboration is a strong testament to the power of your staging. We had this particular property on the market for over ninety days and within one day of being staged it went into contract. Congratulations on a job well done!
Noelle Queen, The Dreyfus Group
"Just wanted to let you know that the sellers are ecstatic with the staging."
Patrice Horvath, Illuminate Properties
Thank you!! So so much! Really love doing business with you. I know you're always slammed but I mean it. Your staging kicks ass and you're so worth every penny.
Shannon Ray, Los Gatos
Joan just shared the new photos of our home after the staging, and I wanted to thank you for the beautiful job you have done! It really looks fresh and the way you have placed furniture and accessories showcases the unique details of the home. We truly appreciate the time and thought you put into making it shine.
Charlie Hays and Bob Komin
Thank you Cary! Just want to express how impressed we are with your service, designers and movers. Everyone was wonderful and Lana did an amazing job decorating our house which had a huge impact on it selling so fast. We appreciate it!
Laura Alman
Hello most amazing stager of the century! Thank heavens for you – the property is SOLD before we ever even went to market – it sang danced and did cartwheels all because of your gorgeous design and furniture! Can you pretty please forward onto your amazing stager who even came back the next morning to do her finishing touches – you ladies knocked it out of the ballpark and then some. How can we EVER thank you enough. Highest praises for Van Cott.
Gloria and Caitlin Darke, Compass
A HUGE and heartfelt thanks for the most amazing staging job at 788 Dixon! We sold it swiftly and have some very very happy and relieved sellers and agents! We LOVE you!
Caitlin Darke
They were wonderful to work with!!! Such a pleasure!
Susan Michal, The Sternsmith Group
I was delighted with the staging in Sunnyvale! It complemented the lovely home rather than drawing attention to knick-knacks. It was spare and light-hearted,
both attributes which contributed to the quick and competitive sale. You get an “A+” again!
Elaine Klemm
"You are all so amazing and thank you for always delivering chic and excellence and beauty! With kindness! What a perfect combination."
Erika Ameri, Compass
"Just wanted to let you know that Bob and I absolutely love, love the staging that your firm did for our Page Mill house. It looks so fantastic and you exceeded our high expectations."
Bob and Katia Kamangar
"Love the staging great job; so chic! 50 W. Edith, Los Altos"
Erika Ameri, Compass
"We accepted an all cash offer. Thanks for an awesome job! We got five offers and the price went 15% over asking! The seller is very happy."
Lisa Liu, Intero Real Estate
"Thanks so much -- it looks INCREDIBLE! Such a pleasure to work with you!"
Beth Fishback, Coldwell Banker
"I wanted to say thank you for the wonderful staging of our home. We have received great compliments. I wanted to ask you about the sofa? Where did you get it from? I really like it and was thinking of getting the same set for our new home. Thanks in advance!!"
Sameera, Burlingame Seller
"I saw Barry Lane. You are clearly in a league of your own regarding staging. I consider your company more of an interior designer than a stager. The transformation of this home is outstanding! I'm amazed every time you design for me! Thanks so much!"
Bill Lister, Coldwell Banker
"I just wanted to reach out to say how nice I think the staging looks at Crestview Dr in Los Altos. John asked me to hold it open for today's Broker's Tour and I feel so happy in here with your furnishings! Just thought I would pass on a positive note and tell you how pretty it looks! Thanks so much for helping out John with such quick notice!"
Holly Jones, Asst. to John James, Compass
"Sally - I just went by 258 Waverley and OMG wow wow wow, amazing transformation! The team did a wonderful job!"
- Nicole, DeLeon Realty
"I just want to tell you how much everyone likes the staging. You did a wonderful job. I also think that your ability to use the personal furniture...which happens to be interesting...has been excellent. It looks really unique."
- PK, Alain Pinel Realtors
"We sold our listing today for $110K more than the same size unit on an upper floor that was not staged. $110K!!! Thank you so much for doing such a great job."
- MS, Coldwell Banker
"FANTASTIC job on the house. Everyone loved it, including the new buyers!!!!! THANK YOU for all your amazing work."
- CH, Menlo Park
"Your staging was fabulous and my sellers were truly thrilled with how the house was transformed! You did an A+ job! The house sold for close to a million dollars over the asking price!"
- EB, Atherton
"I was so delighted with your staging of my home! It had such a look of quality and refinement; more than I have seen before with other stagers. Thank you for taking the time to listen, hear and understand my vision for the presentation of my home. It is beautiful and just perfect. I love the house, but even more so after your magic!"
- CP, Menlo Park
"Your staging was the perfect combination of understated elegance with a touch of modern style. My clients and I are very, very pleased!"
- EA, Los Altos
"You have added such quality and value to this simple, humble home; which resulted in a quick sale!"
- EB, Sunnyvale
"Your staging has enlarged this property and brought it up to a new level. It is perfect. What a transformation!"
- EK, Mountain View
"You nailed it! The staging is elegant and beautiful. The color palette you chose perfectly coordinates with existing colors and materials we chose for this development project."
- TH, Palo Alto
"You finish my vision and complete my sentences. Your work is artistic, practical, beautiful and subtly enhances our development project so the house really shines!"
- KL, Menlo Park
"The staging you installed in our home brought it to life and worked beautifully to compliment our existing furnishings."
- PN, Menlo Park
"In an owner occupied property, staging is challenging and can look out of place and not complimentary to the owner's inventory. Your staging work is seamless; I can't tell where the owner's furnishings end and yours begin!"
- LC, Atherton
"Your modern interpretation of this property was the most beautiful staging I had ever seen! Very well done!"
- DG, Menlo Park
"Even though our home (condo) is very small, somehow with your staging it seems so much larger! It sold right away!"
- CM, Redwood City
Sally Shreve is the founder and President of Van Cott Design Group, established in 2002. Sally is a native Californian, a homeowner in Los Altos, and a graduate of Stanford University. Prior to starting this firm, Sally maintained positions of leadership in the high-tech industry for over 25 years, managing $60 - $350 million companies in Regional Vice President and Vice President/General Manager positions. Sally brings extensive experience in all aspects of business. This includes management, marketing, sales, customer service and support, all to the benefit of clients.
Cori Shreve has a natural eye for interior design and has staged countless number of homes in the past 3 years working at Van Cott Design Group – from small condos to exquisite luxury estates. She pays particular attention to details and is a master at managing her projects. Cori is no stranger to team work and physical work – both required for staging – having been a participant in the NCAA women’s soccer tournament in 2007 and 2010. She also achieved the prestigious 1st Team All Big Sky designation in 2009 and 2010 as one of the best top 11 players. Cori is a graduate of Sacramento State, where she received a full athletic scholarship for women’s soccer, and resides in downtown San Francisco where she stays in tune with the latest design trends.
Katherine Maravilla is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Design. Katherine has a passion for studying design books and describes her style as classic, yet fresh and innovative, with a strong appreciation for mixing old with new. Since 2011, she has been staging high-end homes in Silicon Valley and consulting on interior design projects for select clients. Prior to this, Katherine worked for 17 years designing fabric collections for the premier line, Summer Hill Ltd. where she was responsible for collaborating with Summer Hill’s European mills in selecting all yarns, colors, and patterns for each fabric collection. She also had responsibility for merchandising all Summer Hill Ltd. showrooms throughout the United States.
Cary Mandolado ensures customer satisfaction. She runs the day-to-day operations at Van Cott Design Group, which includes site walk-throughs, setting schedules, and ensuring client’s needs are met. Cary started as a Staging Design Consultant at Van Cott Design Group, designing and installing the staging at some of the most prestigious homes on the Peninsula. This hands-on experience, with homeowners and Realtors alike, gives Cary a rare background for her position as COO. Prior to Van Cott Design Group, Cary’s background includes working at one the area’s most renowned real estate marketing companies, customer relations in the banking industry, and plenty of volunteering at the schools her two daughters attend.
Tammy Griffiths has a long history and passion for interior design. Her design style draws from her surroundings, blending natural materials and organic modern decor, resulting in light, airy, and welcoming spaces. Tammy was on the Board of NKAB (National Kitchen and Bath) and was a Member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) for over a decade. She worked as an Interior Designer at Pottery Barn, and has been with Van Cott Design Group staging homes around the San Francisco Bay Area since 2021. Tammy graduated with an Interior Design Degree from West Valley College and also took an extended course studying Interior Design in Rome, Italy.
Jessica Lambert owned her own staging business, Elate Decor, from 2009 to 2018 before starting as a designer at Van Cott Design Group. Jessica grew up in Sweden, where her parents and sister still live. She lives in Niles with her husband and two children. Jessica loves to travel and has been fortunate enough to have seen most of Europe and so many other incredible places, which all adds to her sense of design for staging. Being a part of Van Cott Design Group, Jessica gets to design beautiful homes and she loves to help train and develop new designers as well. “I love design! Work for me is being able to do what I love every day. Mondays are great!”
Sally Shreve is the founder and President of Van Cott Design Group, established in 2002. Sally is a native Californian, a homeowner in Los Altos, and a graduate of Stanford University. Prior to starting this firm, Sally maintained positions of leadership in the high-tech industry for over 25 years, managing $60 - $350 million companies in Regional Vice President and Vice President/General Manager positions. Sally brings extensive experience in all aspects of business. This includes management, marketing, sales, customer service and support, all to the benefit of clients.
Cori Shreve has a natural eye for interior design and has staged countless number of homes in the past 3 years working at Van Cott Design Group – from small condos to exquisite luxury estates. She pays particular attention to details and is a master at managing her projects. Cori is no stranger to team work and physical work – both required for staging – having been a participant in the NCAA women’s soccer tournament in 2007 and 2010. She also achieved the prestigious 1st Team All Big Sky designation in 2009 and 2010 as one of the best top 11 players. Cori is a graduate of Sacramento State, where she received a full athletic scholarship for women’s soccer, and resides in downtown San Francisco where she stays in tune with the latest design trends.
Katherine Maravilla is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Design. Katherine has a passion for studying design books and describes her style as classic, yet fresh and innovative, with a strong appreciation for mixing old with new. Since 2011, she has been staging high-end homes in Silicon Valley and consulting on interior design projects for select clients. Prior to this, Katherine worked for 17 years designing fabric collections for the premier line, Summer Hill Ltd. where she was responsible for collaborating with Summer Hill’s European mills in selecting all yarns, colors, and patterns for each fabric collection. She also had responsibility for merchandising all Summer Hill Ltd. showrooms throughout the United States.
Cary Mandolado ensures customer satisfaction. She runs the day-to-day operations at Van Cott Design Group, which includes site walk-throughs, setting schedules, and ensuring client’s needs are met. Cary started as a Staging Design Consultant at Van Cott Design Group, designing and installing the staging at some of the most prestigious homes on the Peninsula. This hands-on experience, with homeowners and Realtors alike, gives Cary a rare background for her position as COO. Prior to Van Cott Design Group, Cary’s background includes working at one the area’s most renowned real estate marketing companies, customer relations in the banking industry, and plenty of volunteering at the schools her two daughters attend.
Tammy Griffiths has a long history and passion for interior design. Her design style draws from her surroundings, blending natural materials and organic modern decor, resulting in light, airy, and welcoming spaces. Tammy was on the Board of NKAB (National Kitchen and Bath) and was a Member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) for over a decade. She worked as an Interior Designer at Pottery Barn, and has been with Van Cott Design Group staging homes around the San Francisco Bay Area since 2021. Tammy graduated with an Interior Design Degree from West Valley College and also took an extended course studying Interior Design in Rome, Italy.
Jessica Lambert owned her own staging business, Elate Decor, from 2009 to 2018 before starting as a designer at Van Cott Design Group. Jessica grew up in Sweden, where her parents and sister still live. She lives in Niles with her husband and two children. Jessica loves to travel and has been fortunate enough to have seen most of Europe and so many other incredible places, which all adds to her sense of design for staging. Being a part of Van Cott Design Group, Jessica gets to design beautiful homes and she loves to help train and develop new designers as well. “I love design! Work for me is being able to do what I love every day. Mondays are great!”