When I arrived this room and walk in closet were crowded with many years worth of papers (personal, financial, you name it) mixed in with the genealogy papers. Together we set to the task of sorting through these papers and deciding what to keep, what to toss and what category the keepers fell into. We began working together in one room tackling the transformation of the guestroom into something more comfortable for guests and also creating a functional work space where this client could work on the computer and her family genealogy projects. The practice of Patience teaches us creative transformation in action. It requires a slow and steady approach but by sticking with it we are rewarded in the end! [Read more…]
Makeover Monday::His & Hers Walk in Closet
This was a case of a beautifully designed closet that just wasn’t functioning so well. Without calling in anyone to redesign the closet or purchasing anything new we made do with what they had and re-organized some things so that more of what was needed fit into the closet in a neat and tidy way.
Her Side (Before left: After right)
About 4 hours later (mostly working by myself on this project) I had this closet finished. On her side I sorted tops, bottoms and long dresses and jackets by clothing type and color. I re-located less used special occasion items to a second guest room closet, created drawers designated for specific items such as hats, jewelry, belts and lingerie. This freed up space for the client to use other bedroom furniture drawers for items that should not be hung such as sweaters, other knits and casual/frequently used items.
His Side (Before left: After right)
On his side I sorted full suits by season putting the warmer season suits to the front since we are shifting towards summer (at least here in the south). This client also has quite a collection of bow ties and suspenders which I hung on a multi section hangers (often used for scarves or pants). Again I sorted shirts and pants/shorts by type and color leaving suspenders attached to several pairs of pants in this case.
We got rid of almost everything on the floor and many of the decorative boxes and items cluttering up the shelves. We used the shelves for shoes (both in and out of boxes and drawer bins), bags, hats (on the top shelves) and photo albums. She liked keeping these albums in the closet but if she needed more shelving space she could remove them to another area in the future. The closet is a nice space to keep photo albums if you have the room and you can always pull out a few at a time to have on display in a more public room of the house.
Tip: Store items that are not needed often in the back of deep corner shelves in containers that are easily pulled out. For example shoe; a shoe shining kit. Label the edge of shelves so you know what’s hiding in the back of each.
Home office remodel makeover
This client recently began working from a home office and although the design of the room and built in desk are beautiful there were some issues with the functionality. The clients punch list included one part design and remodel and one part organization and efficiency. At our first meeting I took an assessment that included the following: [Read more…]
Organizing a Painting Studio
It’s always a dream job to get to help with Organizing a Painting Studio. I was excited to begin working with this artist and be able to help get this beautiful new home studio space set up!
The artist was not yet using the studio space so the project began by sorting items into categories for use and designating spaces and systems for organizing and using the space and materials. I also helped with furniture placement, to make the space both comfortable and functional when in use and for relaxing and finding Inspiration. After all, when an artist isn’t working in their studio, they should still LOVE to be in their space, so creating a relaxing and inviting environment is very important to the process!
Moving Monday::New Routines
We’ve been here for about 3 weeks now and it’s funny how some new routines have already been established and some old one’s have maintained. One routine I’m having a hard time re-establishing here is blogging so bear with me in my absence please!
We are now officially residents of South Carolina having made multiple trips to the DMV, courthouse and Social Security administration. You wouldn’t believe all the documentation required to prove you are who you say you are here! Anyways, that’s behind us and I’m looking to plant my feet as firmly in the sand as I can now. Hum, sand shifts around a lot and that’s a perfect analogy for how I’m feeling about settling in here. I’m not quite there yet!
I miss my three times a week yoga class, my monthly meetings for volunteering and organizing, my regular client appointments and visits with friends and my local food/farm sources. I’m loving my new routine of going to the beach in the morning to watch the sunrise, write in my journal and walk. I’m not doing this daily but a few times a week so far. I also love going to watch the sunset on the Waccamaw river.
I’ve scouted out a few sources for locally grown food, one road side stand is just a few minutes from our house. I’ve already got my local library card and checked out a stack of books. I’ve made contact with the local NAPO Charleston chapter and plan to attend my first meeting next week. I’m also currently working on getting involved with the local Master Gardener program.
I think it’s funny how easy it is for some routines to follow you wherever you go and other routines are more difficult to re-establish. I’m looking forward to both establishing new routines and carrying on with the best of the old ones.