It’s amazing what treasures get unearthed when you begin to downsize: travel souvenirs, heirloom quilts, and yes, wedding dresses! Suddenly you’re face to face with things you haven’t seen in years and they (hopefully) bring back all kinds of wonderful memories. This is one of my favorite stories about bringing meaningful things out from storage … Continue reading Downsizing Dilemma: What to Do with Your Wedding Dress
Ever flip through a home design magazine and wonder what it is about those rooms that make them look so ‘designed?’ Of course, there’s no clutter and everything is perfectly placed, but it’s more than that. There are four ‘secrets’ that interior designers rely on to create beautiful spaces. Applying them can be a challenge, … Continue reading How to Design Like a Pro: My Top 4 Secrets
Telling people who are downsizing into smaller homes that their adult children don’t want their stuff is one of the hardest parts of my job. Many people have a dream of passing along their china and antiques to their children and grandchildren. The reality is that the next generation wants to create a home that … Continue reading Downsizing When Your Children Don’t Want Your Stuff
Did you know you spend about 1/3 of your life in your bedroom? And if your boudoir doubles as your office (a no-no I can’t really scold since I do it myself), you likely spend even more. As an interior designer, I’m often surprised at how little effort people give a room in which they … Continue reading 5 Interior Design Mistakes to Avoid in Your Bedroom
Tips & Tricks FILING PAPERWORK IS MY FAVORITE TASK… NOT!!! I had this epiphany. Handling paperwork doesn’t have to be a dreadful task… If I simplify my filing system and throw a lot of it out. Duh!!!! Could it be this simple? Save or not to save, that is the question. Yes? No? Maybe? If you don’t own … Continue reading Organizing Tips & Tricks: Filing Paperwork
Are you drowning in receipts? Doesn’t it drive you crazy when you can’t find the receipt for an item you want to return? How about those crumpled up receipts in your purse/wallet or worse yet, the receipts in that paper bag next to your desk? Before you can set up a filing system for receipts … Continue reading Organizing Tips & Tricks: Filing & Receipts
Greeting card stress Next time you’re in a card shop buy several greeting cards for birthdays, funerals, congratulation, get well, and thank you’s. Keep them separated by type, using rubber bands. Place them in a file or box marked “Greeting Cards.” Oh…, and don’t forget to put stamps and return address labels in with the … Continue reading Organizing Tips & Tricks: Gifts
Weren’t we promised a paperless world? I hate paper as much as the next guy, but I’ve found the secret to dealing with this monster. Clear off a table so you have room to spread out. Turn on high energy music. My favs are 60’s classics & Motown (yup, I just dated myself!) If … Continue reading Organizing Tips & Tricks: Organizing Paper
Why do we feel the need to have so much stuff? Do any of these sound familiar? I deserve it because….. Everyone has it, so I should have it. Surrounding myself with things makes me feel better. Shopping is my hobby. When I’m bored, I shop. Organizing Ideas What would life look like if … Continue reading Organizing Tips & Tricks: Minimalism