move it or lose it

This afternoon I spent a couple hours with a client organizing her book shelves to get ready for the painters to come. I have a thing for organizing. I think of it as a past time. {well, almost} I know not everyone feels the same. I asked my client today as we made the giant mess that comes before clarity if this was fun for her, or flat out torture. She said it was fine, but maybe a little frustrating because where does she put it all now that we know where it doesn't go.

It can be frustrating, but I know that systems work if they are well built.

Some rules I live by to make life easier:

#1- Minimize on stuff. Ask yourself do you really, really need it? If you don't, lose it. I'm sure someone else can put it to good use. I love that feeling that comes with dropping off a big bag of donations. Lighter. Unburdened. Simplicity at its finest.
#2 - Keep things current. Before you add to that stack of 'important papers' set up a filing system that is easily accessible so your pile doesn't seem too daunting to take on when you finally feel like tackling it. Making things easy on yourself will lead to a good system that will work.
#3 - Out of sight of of mind? Keep everything in a way that you can find it easily. Whether it be in drawers, fridge or jewelry boxes. This simple plan cuts down on frustration and buying duplicates of things you can't find or forgot you had in the first place.
#4 - Make it fun. Who says organizing has to be dull? Add a little unexpected character and whimsy to brighten your day.
#5 - Be creative. If you can't find the solution in the 'organizing isle' at whatever store you go to for organizing things, come up with your own solution. I like glass jars for pretty things that can add to the design of a room.

Spring fling

I am in the mood to read Beatrix Potter books, clean everything top to bottom and plant some green things. Spring is here!

I can imagine these fun vintage prints in a pretty frame with fresh whites and living things.


These little boxes look like fun to make so when I went to investigate how to pull it off I found a really great blog. A Little Hut is stuffed with DIY ideas.

Happy Easter!!

times 3 +plus+ a giveaway

I met 3 new challenges today, each so very different from the next. I love that about design - no two projects are ever the same.

The first was a quick request: an invisible way to hang plates from the wall to achieve a more contemporary look in her kitchen. A quick google search and we had the solution. After she left I did another quick search to appease my mind's eye, there is this manic need I feed to see the finished product. Like so many other quick solutions, I never get to see the end result. I give my two cents and they are off to make it their own.

{take a picture and come back and see me, I say this all the time. I don't know if they know how much I mean it. I promise, I'm not just being polite.}
A few of my favorites:




{thank you to this site, and this one too, for the borrowed images}

a huge, very exciting PS: Follow this link to sign up for a fun giveaway from one of my favorite blogs I stalk {6th Street Design School}. So stinkn cute!!

TheTownhome Project

My newest after hours design project is going to be a fun break from my female clients.
The client: Mr. O. stockbroker/photographer
The challenge: Bachelor pad with some great existing style ready to take the plunge from 'almost there' to 'Dude... Wow.'


The entrance and staircase are going to set the stage with inviting color and a display of personal photography that will lead up the stairs where a display of artistically placed mirrors will make you wonder what treasures are in store around the next corner.

The color scheme is up in the air at this point. We are going to find the perfect rug to go under his counter height table and from there create a scheme that will be modern, happy and fun.
{2010 color trends are all about emotion: happiness, relaxing, enjoying life. I've usually shied away from trends when it comes to picking paint, but with one based on personal tastes that lend to good emotion? Seems like a trend to follow.}

Accessories will be minimal and selected for color and interest. Going with the modern look he wants, and my belief that less is better, it will be easy to achieve it here since there will be plenty going on with a mix of color/texture and photography from his travels. Nothing better than exploiting talents to create the most unique designs. And it will mean so much more to him to have his own work displayed rather than a lot of 'stuff' hanging around begging for attention. {and dusting}

A roommate has taken care of the furniture for now with lots of black leather. Working with them we'll break it up with well placed splashes of color on the walls, pillows, and artwork.
Because of the limited space, when he gets furniture my advice was to select a sofa with exposed legs to create the illusion of more space and to also go with lighter materials because dark colors have more weight making them visual space suckers.

When I'm working on concepts I let my imagination run free, then par down as I go. I thought this table rocked! It'd be perfect in a guy's place, and it looks easy to make. Directions can be found here. The design comes from a class called 'How to make crappy stuff awesome'. Great class. I want to go.

over a fist full of cookie dough we came up with a great plan for the place, I'll keep you posted.