Do you want to redesign your kitchen, but it is overrun with gadgets and crockery? Are you hoping to declutter and get more organized, but deep down you really want a beautifully redesigned space? When thinking about revamping your living or business environment, you might do a Google search either for a “professional organizer” or an “interior designer”. One person to address one issue.
To date there hasn’t been a project that I have been on that didn’t require a combination of services: addressing over-owing, systematic organization, reselling items, choosing paint colors, or remodeling a living space. I have found that to create your dream space, whether your initial call is to decorate or to declutter, you cannot do one without the other.
Recently, a client contacted me to update their home office. We met to discuss their design style and what they are hoping to accomplish in the space. Initially it appeared we would need quite a bit of filing space and a large desk, as the office was packed with paperwork and various items not necessarily needed here. So I started by giving them three boxes. One for papers to shred, a second for items to donate and a third for items to keep and use in our design. This declutter process ended up saving them quite a bit of money because we did not need to purchase as many filing cabinets or as large of a desk. Once furniture was sourced and placed, it was apparent that systematic organization would benefit them greatly. So we worked together to label, contain and file, making for a highly productive environment. As you can see, you can’t do one without the other. What started as a simple request to redesign an office, actually involved other disciplines to make it happen.
One of the best times to work with someone with expanded vision and services is when you are aspiring to move. Here you’ll need someone to declutter, depersonalize, purge, pack, update, and stage before listing. Likely this person also has Rolodex of people who can help you with other necessary tasks such as plumbers, painters, and handymen. The end result will be less stress for you and likely a higher selling price for your home.
Overall, it is important to have an open mind when starting any project and to understand that a specific focus may involve work not originally considered. There are many benefits to finding a person who can combine various specialties because they are able to see things often overlooked when your focus is initially narrow. You can’t do one without the other.
