Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Control Journal or Binder

This will be a re-occuring topic in the next couple of weeks.

What is it?
How to set one up?
Sample topics to include?
Why have one?
Uses?

Spring Cleaning....

Well in some places Spring has sprung, while I look out my window and I see piles upon piles of snow still. It doesn't feel very spring like, thats for sure.

How do you go about organizing once a year or even twice a year cleaning projects?

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Where to start about decorating?

Before one begins decorating their room there are a few things to take into consideration and a few questions to answer.
Firstly, what is the focus or focal point of the room, for example decorative moldings or a fireplace.

What are the sources of natural light in the room?

Do you like cool colors (recede) or warm colors (advance)?
Do you want a cozy room?

Consider size of room, measure the room, windows, doorways?

Keep in mind, space, size, and furniture placement?

What is the mood or theme you want to create in the room?

Remember your room should have a unique personality and qualities!

Make a book or scrap book of inspirational pictures, colors, fabric samples.Find inspiration!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Minimizing and downsizing into small apartments

Some people mention that downsizing can be freeing, well this is true but its conditional on the fact you must be willing to minimize your possessions to fit the space. Get rid of items no longer used or needed. Donate items if possible.

Another important tip is to also downsize your furniture. Nothing will make a small space, feel smaller than over sized furniture that is to big and bulky for the apt.

Although, downsizing is key, maximize every square inch of space is just as important. Use the space you do have wisely by maximizing efficiency and storage space, for example using the backs of doors, storage ottomans, under bed and couch space.

Remember to think vertical storage (bookshelves to the ceiling). Be creative, use hat boxes (try to get similar patterns and colors for uniformity).

Multi-tasking furniture such as coffee tables with extra storage shelves, or a day bed.

The ultimate small space is dorm living.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

3 Reasons Why you Haven't Gotten Organized

There are so many reasons why people don't get organized, it is difficult to touch on them all but here are a few common reasons why people don't get organized.

1. Give yourself permission to live free from possessions and unwanted gifts or items. Clear out your life and all the things you own.

2. Take the time to organize. You need to spend time on organizing, if you don't then you won't be organized. You need to invest some time and energy.

3. Learn to delegate, which is a vital skill for organizing your time, chores, errands, and even work items. One person can't do it all, all the time.

Rules to live by:

There are 3 goals to live by when considering organizing:

1. Touch things once.... Don't put it off for a second chance, when you can do it once.

2. Keep items and belongings together.... Group like items together. For ex. keep all hair products together, or in the kitchen, keep all baking supplies together in one cupboard.

3. Organize only one space at a time.... don't try to do too much at one time. Take it slow, organizing is a process, with no end point, instead its a process that takes time.

Friday, January 11, 2008

How to do eclectic without it looking frumpy or like you are trying too hard?

Eclectic style uses a variety of periods and styles, but is brought together through the use of color, texture, shape, or finish.

There can be a multitude of fabrics used but there is a common scheme or color running throughout them.

Eclectic style does not have to adhere to one major style or look.

You are able to design your room to have a freedom of expression and vibrant individuality.

Its really great if you love more than one style.

Through personal touches and accessories you can pull a unique and funky feeling in your room, while also designing a sense of unity and coherence. Your knicks knacks should be unique and have a varied appeal.

Artwork can be used as a jumping off point or used for color inspiration. Art can pull a room together.

Pick and choose your favorite elements of certain styles.

Either paint or fabric can be used to create unity or a theme among items for ex. 2 mismatched chairs painted the same color or a recover a chair and a sofa in the same fabric.