Christian Ward

Founder & Creative Director, Alder & Ash

Over a decade of award-winning hospitality and design expertise

Christian Ward brings over a decade of award-winning hospitality and design expertise to Alder & Ash. With a background as a Michelin-recognized General Manager and Director of Operations, Christian mastered ambiance, flow, and guest experience, skills that translate seamlessly into the world of home staging.

Married to Dudley Ward, a successful Washington, D.C. real estate advisor, Christian leaned on Dudley’s perspective to shape Alder & Ash around what agents truly need: speed to market, terms that align with contract timelines, and a design vision that tells a clear story. Those insights became the backbone of the company’s structure.

Christian and Dudley began designing and renovating their own homes in 2013, unknowingly laying the foundation for Alder & Ash. Their work caught the eye of a buyer so taken with their design that he purchased the home, furnishings and all. That same client later commissioned Christian to design a bedroom, sparking the realization that design wasn’t just a passion, it was a calling.

Today, Christian curates refined, intentional spaces that blends classic design with modern comfort. Each project is rooted in storytelling, thoughtful details, and livable sophistication, whether preparing a property for market or creating a forever home.

With that spark, Alder & Ash was born

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Answers that help you begin

1. What makes Alder & Ash different from the other staging companies?

Staging with Alder & Ash is more than furnishing, it’s storytelling through space. Every project is guided by a Vibe Label, a defined buyer persona and design narrative that helps a home resonate and stand apart.

Our approach is intentionally structured around how homes are experienced, with extended 45-day terms, built-in refresh visits, and integrated marketing assets including photography, 3D Matterport, and floor plans.

2. How do your staging packages work?

Each project is tailored to the home, but our work is typically structured within one of three collections: The Willowisp, The Silver Birch, and The Sovereign Oak.

Willowisp: A focused composition of the most impactful spaces
Silver Birch: A cohesive, whole-home approach with layered styling
Sovereign Oak: A fully realized, design-led transformation across the property

From there, the scope is refined based on the layout, target buyer, and overall goals for the listing.

3. How long is the standard staging term, and can it be extended?

Our standard staging term is 45 days, designed to support the full marketing cycle, including showings and contingencies.

Extensions are available in 30-day increments at 30% of the original investment. We proactively check in near the end of each term to ensure the home remains fully prepared for market.

4. What happens if something gets damaged during staging?

All installations are professionally managed and insured to minimize risk. In the rare event of damage beyond normal wear, we handle it directly with a clear and straightforward resolution.

5. How far in advance should we book Alder & Ash staging?

As a boutique staging studio, our inventory is curated and project volume is intentionally limited to maintain quality.

We recommend booking 10–14 days in advance to allow time for consultation, design planning, sourcing, and scheduling installation.