Setting the Stage with Alexa Centeno
In the dynamic world of home staging and design, Alexa Centeno stands out as a visionary entrepreneur who has seamlessly blended technology and aesthetics over the past 15 years.
Born in Ukraine, Alexa arrived in the United States in 1997, eventually landing in Boston, Massachusetts. Alongside her husband, Angel, she co-founded Systems Design and Integration (SDI), a company specializing in audio, video, and smart home services, in 2009.
A year ago, the Centeno family made a strategic move to Boca Raton, and Alexa found herself at a crossroads. Deeply rooted in the home automation field, she sought a way to continue doing what she loved during her husband’s work trips back and forth from Boston. The answer came unexpectedly when she was asked to stage a friend’s house and received numerous accolades for her impeccable work.
“After staging that first house, things started clicking,” says Alexa. “I had found my new calling.”
A builder who had seen her first staging requested a showcase. With only the one home to display, all Alexa could say was “trust me.” He did, and the feedback from her second staging was overwhelming, with predictions that she would “blow up in Boca.” True to those words, Alexa’s unique style gained traction on social media, leading to projects ranging from vacation homes to Airbnb properties.
With an innate eye for design, Alexa’s style gravitates towards the unique, with a particular fondness for materials such as Venetian plaster and other distinctive elements. While networking at a local event earlier this year, she found herself surrounded by like-minded professionals – architects, designers, and builders – and the spark for her new venture, “Staged by Alexa,” was ignited.
“I love the challenge of looking at a space and seeing what it calls for. There are so many factors, such as location (inland versus coastal), the vibe (contemporary versus ultra-modern), and others which must be considered.”
Alexa’s experience with System Designs and Integration gives her a unique perspective that she applies to staging homes. With SDI she would often choose speakers and home theater systems that worked well aesthetically with each space. She continues to do so with Staged by Alexa.
“I mix design, tech, audio, and art to create immaculate spaces. A $10 million dollar home doesn’t deserve a Sonos soundbar,” she says with a smile. “It has to look and sound luxurious.”
Looking ahead, Alexa envisions a future filled with steady growth, with personal goals to stage five homes a week and acquire a large warehouse to accommodate the growing demand for her work. In fact, she is currently awaiting a sizable shipment of furniture (15 houses worth) which she plans to deploy in 2024. Aside from that, she wants to be ‘realtor’s and builder’s best friends’, always ready to deliver a quick and exceptional staging solution.”
Alexa’s passion for staging is only outweighed by the love for her husband and three kids. When she’s not working or traveling, she enjoys boating and living the South Florida lifestyle.
Instagram: @staged.byalexa
