This was a really fun quick combined Studio-Office Space organizing and space planning project.  This client recently moved here from Asheville and needed some help settling into her new space. Her studio is large and is both an office for her business and a dance studio for small classes.  The colors, floor, space and light are beautiful, overlooking a lake.  She wanted to take advantage of the views and leave the floors open for dancing.  She didn’t have a lot of furniture so what she has needs to really count and be very efficient.

Our first task was to look at the space and decide on the furniture placement.  Once we settled that and she lived with the furniture for a week or two we met again to fine tune arrangements and work on purging and sorting.  She added a few more functional pieces of furniture during that time which we worked into the space and were able to see what was still needed and what additional pieces might be useful down the road.  We went “shopping” around her house to find other pieces that could be used and removed a couple things that didn’t work in the space.  We also found empty bins to use to store the items she wanted to keep.

There were about 8-10 bankers boxes and bags of office supplies and personal memorabilia that we sorted through.  It was somewhat emotional to go through childhood memorabilia and I wanted to make sure she knew I was there to support her in her decisions and not judge her in any way.  I try to make this process as fun as possible and I enjoy learning about my clients lives, upbringing, personal history and I’m bound to hear a funny story or two!  We went through each item, deciding what to keep, toss, store and sell (garage sale).   When we finished there were only 3 bins left and there was still extra room for other items as she continues to unpack in her new home.  Now, all her cherished memories are items now safely contained and stored away in a place she can easily access.    Best of all she didn’t spend a dime on new things, we were able to use things she already had!

Finally we swept the floors and did a little movement (Dance) to activate the new space and off we went to select a few plants that would help energize and clean the air.  We selected a Red Congo Philodendron and a spider plant (for another area) and she already has a Chinese Evergreen in the space and will add a Pothos to her bookshelf.  All of these are excellent at cleaning the air which is important in older homes that have been newly renovated.

This final step is a new service I’m beginning to offer.  Plant selection, placement, and treatment is something that is often done by large companies for hospitals and office buildings but I’m bringing it to the Charleston residential and small business market.

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