Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Cooney.
Hi Barbara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After spending over 25 years in broadcast journalism—writing, producing, and managing newsrooms—I found myself an empty nester with a new kind of energy. I’d always loved interiors and design, and when I was asked to stage a home using my own furniture for a real estate video I was producing, I said yes. That home ended up selling for $700,000 over asking, and that “yes” sparked what would become So So Spiffy.
I launched So So Spiffy in Birmingham, Alabama with a handful of furniture pieces and a ton of hustle. It quickly grew into a full-scale luxury staging business, and a few years ago, we expanded to Austin—where design-forward buyers and creative real estate strategies are the norm. Austin has been the perfect next chapter for Spiffy: a vibrant, fast-moving market filled with clients who appreciate good design and bold ideas.
Today, we’re staging homes across Central Texas, running a bustling retail operation, and selling our own custom-designed furniture line made specifically for stagers and designers. We’ve built a team that blends logistical muscle with serious style, and even in my 60s, I’m still growing, learning, and loving every bit of the chaos that comes with running a creative business in Austin.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth ride. Like many small businesses, we’ve faced our share of challenges: launching a second location right before COVID, navigating a recession, surviving a flat housing market, and importing our furniture line from Vietnam during the rollercoaster of tariff news and supply chain chaos. There were moments it felt like everything was working against us—but somehow, our timing held, our team stayed strong, and we’re still in the game.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At So So Spiffy, we specialize in luxury home staging and curated furniture design for real estate, retail, and interior projects. We work with realtors, builders, and homeowners to transform empty spaces into warm, modern, high-end environments that sell—and sell fast.
We’re known for having a signature “Spiffy” look: livable but elevated, layered but not cluttered, with furnishings that feel intentional and fresh. What really sets us apart is that we don’t just stage—we design, we rent, and we sell. We even launched our own furniture line, designed specifically for the challenges stagers face: mixable, durable, stylish pieces that work together seamlessly.
I’m most proud of how far we’ve come as a small, scrappy business—growing from a few pieces of loaned furniture to full warehouses in Birmingham and Austin, and now designing pieces that are in homes across the country. We’re not a franchise, we’re not cookie-cutter, and we’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’re just really good at what we do—and we love doing it.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is integrity—in design, in business, and in how we treat people. I built So So Spiffy on relationships, trust, and a lot of hustle, and I believe those things still matter more than ever. Whether we’re working with a first-time home seller, a seasoned builder, or a young designer just getting started, I want them to feel like we showed up, did our best, and treated their project like it mattered—because it does.
I also care deeply about building a company where people can grow. I’m in my 60s now, and what’s exciting to me is watching younger team members take the reins, bring new ideas, and push us forward. At this stage, it’s not just about success—it’s about legacy.
Pricing:
- Pricing Occupied Staging Consultations: Starting at $275 Vacant Home Staging Packages: Starting at $2,200 (includes design, delivery, and installation for 60 days) Monthly Rental Extensions: Typically $600–$900/month depending on square footage and furnishings Furniture Sales: Available through our showroom and online—custom pricing based on item and availability Custom Furniture Line for Stagers: Wholesale pricing available for industry professionals We offer flexible packages and tiered staging options, from full creative control to client-approved mood boards.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sosospiffy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sosospiffybhm/
- Facebook: Spiffy Design
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/72277598/admin/dashboard/
- Youtube: Spiffy Design
