Letting go of things from the past is something each of us will eventually have to do. We come into this world with nothing, and we leave with nothing. It’s the in-between where we get to live this amazing thing called life. Life moves through different stages, and each one involves “stuff.” For example, people … Read more
This quote says it all: “Don’t let the past steal your present.“ As a professional organizer and interior decorator, I often see homes stuck in the past, rather than becoming beautiful, welcoming spaces that reflect and support homeowners’ present lives. What Are You Holding Onto? A lot of us hold onto items from the past. Sometimes … Read more
Minimalism sometimes gets a bad reputation. Perhaps it’s because minimalist décor is now considered “out,” and being out of style isn’t something most of us want. Many people also worry that choosing minimalism means giving up everything and living in a stark and uninviting home. Fortunately, that is not true. Here are a few easy … Read more
Over the years, I’ve worked with many clients who grapple with the same challenge: letting go of belongings that anchor them to their past. Sometimes it’s an extensive but cherished collection of childhood memorabilia. Other times it’s a deceased relative’s paperwork with every receipt and document stuffed into bankers’ boxes “just in case.” Occasionally, it’s … Read more
You may be surprised to hear a Professional Organizer say it isn’t worth the time and effort to achieve picture-perfect home organization. I’m talking about the images you see online or in your favourite magazine, where everything is flawless. In my opinion, you should let go of the idea that your home should look picture-perfect. … Read more
Sometimes, we overcomplicate the process of decluttering and home organizing. As a Professional Organizer, I typically recommend setting aside two to three hours to tackle an area of your home that you can deconstruct, edit, and put back together within that time block. Then, repeat the process another day in a different area. However, I … Read more
Think about how a grocery store is laid out; produce in one section, canned goods in another, dairy in another. Or consider how educators set up a daycare: a puzzle table, book corner, and toy boxes. In those places, items are grouped into logical categories. Everything has a place – you can easily find what … Read more
Summer can be a good time to tackle home decluttering and organizing. The longer days and pleasant weather can provide the energy and motivation you need. While summer might seem like the perfect time to get your home in order, it’s worth weighing the benefits against the drawbacks, especially when those sunny days are fleeting … Read more
In a busy household, it doesn’t take much for clothing to take over. Between sports gear, work clothes, laundry piles, and that ever-growing collection of outgrown outfits, it can feel like clothes are multiplying overnight. If you’re constantly picking up stray socks and digging through laundry baskets for clean shirts, it’s time to take control … Read more
As a professional organizer, I work with homes of all shapes and sizes. Over the last 20-plus years, my clients’ homes have typically been between 800 and 4000 square feet. Interestingly, I discovered that larger homes become cluttered more easily – and more often. Let’s delve into some reasons why it is so hard to … Read more
In my world, spring is on the way when we shift to Daylight Saving Time – which means right now. I’m aware that the gargantuan task of “spring cleaning” your home is probably something that, well, isn’t really something most people do anymore. Who has time to clean walls, floors, ceilings, wash window treatments, etc.? … Read more
A few weeks ago, I was chatting with a client about New Year’s resolutions – or lack thereof. She doesn’t make resolutions, but she identified a couple of things she would like to change for the upcoming year. One of the things she wants to do is read more. She could make a book resolution. … Read more
My aunt contacted me a while back about some family jewellery she came across when she was decluttering. She asked if I wanted a few pieces and if I could find out how much they were worth. So, I decided to consult an expert on the subject. Dana Westall of Amsterdam Diamond and Gem Grading … Read more
Organizing all the little things in your home is important, yet you don’t do it. Even I feel overwhelmed sometimes when I’m working with someone, and we take care of organizing all the big things first, and then we look at the little things, and we both say to ourselves, “Now what?” Of course, being … Read more
When creating a more functional and tidy home, most of us know that we need to declutter to get organized. While these two activities may seem like one and the same, they are not. In fact, these two processes are quite different. Understanding the distinction between decluttering and organizing can help you tackle your home … Read more
Early autumn is the best time to declutter and organize your seasonal décor. I mentioned tackling this project in my post about Autumn Home Organization a few weeks ago. However, if you didn’t do it then, now is the time! Halloween is just around the corner, and you will be so happy you organized everything … Read more
As summer winds down here in Nova Scotia, it’s the best time to plan for fall home organization projects you want to accomplish before the end of the year. Four months seems like a long way off, but it’s amazing how one week rolls into the next. Before you know it, your busy life will … Read more
As a professional organizer and interior decorator, I spend a lot of time helping my clients design functional yet attractive ways to store their possessions. In fact, practical storage is one of the key elements in maintaining an organized home. If you are wondering how to improve storage in your home, please read on. The … Read more
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been designing a functional garage for one of our amazing clients. And two other clients have the same request. As you can imagine, it’s dirty, heavy, and tedious work. That’s probably why so many people put it off. However, parking two cars in a two-car garage (especially during Nova … Read more
Over the years, I’ve provided plenty of tips on kitchen renovations, but I’ve never shared the actual process that starts months before the demolition and rebuilding begins. Of course, the design work and choosing finishes take time. However, there’s more. In this post, I’m talking about the months of sorting, decluttering, and organizing you need … Read more