ORGANIZATION+DESIGN=SALVATION!
What I learned from Arranging Order (the short list)
1. Work with what you already have
I kept asking Kate: "What do you want me to buy to get organized?" Her response 99% of the time was: "Nothing! Let's work with what you have and go from there The result: I already had most of what I needed!
I bought 1 jewelry organizer, 2 bins for shoes and some floating shelves. And that was for her work in 4 rooms of my home.
2. It's all about you and your needs
My first session with Kate was all about me! She asked me endless questions about how I lived in my home, what I needed, what kind of life I lead and my aesthetic.
She gave me doable homework assignments between sessions and designed a system that worked for my life and needs.
I love it!
Furthermore, I was shocked when I got an email post session asking how everything was going for me. Kate kept saying: "Remember, this has to work for you."
3. Systems=sustained organization
I am still telling my friends about the strategy suggestions for upkeep that Kate suggested. Because she spent so much time learning about me, the strategy suggestions made me WANT TO ORGANIZE.
Example: she spotted my wine rack and cocktail cart and told me: "when you have a night in, just pick a pile to go through while you are having a cocktail." Even I can do that and love it!
4. It was all about me!
I know I mentioned that above. But after my organization sessions, Kate worked with me on interior design. Again, she created an design/office solution that is no less than amazing. (I didn't want a traditional desk/office set up). And she applied her keen design eye to rearranging my bedroom furniture in a way that still has me smiling. The scale of the furniture I placed on either side of my bed was cramped. Honestly after the first night of sleeping in my new bedroom I felt a difference. Who knew??
And she did it ALL using resources I already had in my apartment.
Again, utilizing the same mantra: "Do you like it? Does this work for you?" Honestly, at one point she reprimanded me with a "You have to love it and use it, not me! " when I wanted to know if she liked how something looked.
5. She worked her organized butt off
Kate was always on time. She always engaged me at a strategy level to ensure what she was doing worked for my needs and worked well within my budget.
After I finished my last project she emailed me with another design idea and resource for my space.
She also took time "off the clock" to help me with some iphone organization and tricks because she saw me struggling while she worked on my space.
I cannot say enough about this budget friendly, accommodating, resourceful superwoman.
Her customized approach, professionalism and care have made me an (organized) believer!
Thanks to the usable systems, easy upkeep and tweeking tricks Kate taught me, I've been able to maintain the work she did for almost a year now.
And everyone who visits my home (which i now LOVE) thinks I am anal!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Kate, you changed my life! read more