De-clutter Me! works with relocation companies, which are hired by client firms to help their employees prepare for moves to new jobs in new locations. John recently changed jobs with his company, moving from Vermont to New Hampshire. Before he left town, we spent some time together, clearing clutter to make the house more welcoming to renters. Since he’s unsure about selling it, in the meantime, he will rent to visiting nurses.
Our first focus area was the dining room table, which was loaded with a variety of things, including computer parts, a dangling charger cord, bent candles, and Halloween decorations. It had become something of a dumping ground.
We separated out some items for other rooms in the house, and others to discard, recycle, or give away. The result – a cleared table and, in its center a big Christmas cactus plant, about to burst into bloom!
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About De-clutter Me!
De-clutter Me! offers non-judgmental, competitively-priced and confidential assistance to help clear clutter in your home and/or business. We’ve been changing chaos to calm since 2013.
Peter has a business that is insanely busy in warm weather months. Though real spring weather is slow to arrive hereabouts this year, he is working very long days. Even so, he recently carved out time for us to work in a corner of his house that functions both as his office and, when possible, a dining area as well.
We started with the table. It functions as his office desk when he’s not in his truck. We filed some papers in the filing cabinet nearby.
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We also cleared a breakfront-type piece behind the table and the window sill above it, making the space more like a dining area, where he might relax when time allows.
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Our next project may be a desk across the room, where Peter would like to write personal letters, separating his work and home lives.
About De-clutter Me!
De-clutter Me! offers non-judgmental, competitively-priced and confidential assistance to help clear clutter in your home and/or business. We’ve been changing chaos to calm since 2013.
A mutual friend recommended De-clutter Me! to Judy. We spoke about a variety of projects and scheduled a first session. She wanted to focus on the dining room table, which held a computer that didn’t always work properly, bills, books, art pieces and other items. All could be placed elsewhere. She wanted it cleared, so that family and friends could enjoy meals and shared company.
We placed the persnickety computer in her corner desk, set aside recycling, filled several bags with documents to be shredded. We filed bank statements in a kitchen two-drawer file cabinet, and consolidated tax documents. Books were boxed for donation. With each session, as more of the table’s surface became visible, Judy’s smile grew wider.
With the table cleared off, the dining room seemed bigger – magic! We set the table, anticipating a visit from family, who soon would come to play in the snow.
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What would be next? A box next to the table needed attention, as did a few spots in the kitchen, before the family’s visit.
About De-clutter Me!
De-clutter Me! offers non-judgmental, competitively-priced and confidential assistance to help clear clutter in your home and/or business. We’ve been changing chaos to calm since 2013.
Renovations expert Mesa recently worked for Michelle and Larry. He wanted to give them a gift in return, so he offered a session with De-clutter Me! In my years as a professional organizer, that was a first! Other gifts have been for the holidays, a birthday and Father’s Day, but never as a thank-you for prior work.
I arrived on a classic January morning – very cold, though brightly sunny. We decided to work in the dining area, first focusing on a shelving unit. Behind its left-side door was a variety of mason jars, more than needed. We settled on keeping ten, placing the rest in a box for donations or a spring garage sale. We consolidated cooking utensils in a jar, though agreed that a larger crock would hold them more efficiently.
Next, we moved to the bookshelves. Working top to bottom, we cleared and dusted. The top shelf was reserved for some treasured items and family photos, which Michelle and Larry would add later. Why not while we were working? To protect their privacy when it was time to take “after” photos. The second shelf now held cookbooks, with lots of empty space. On the bottom – two framed photos and a napkin holder. The extra, empty space would leave room for carefully-considered items, and also allow the eyes to rest and to enjoy the newly-organized space.
We next worked on the shelves behind the right-hand door. There were more wine glasses than they use, even when entertaining. We placed the surplus in the donations/garage sale box. We set aside other items to be given away.
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With our remaining time, we cleared the table. I first asked about the gingerbread house. Larry spoke to their young son, suggesting that its time had gone by. Out it went! We found mail to be opened, consolidating it for their attention. Noting my experience as a professional organizer, I shared that the often-found pile of mail can lead to the slippery slope of creating more clutter. The suggested solution – to open and process mail every day.
We pulled their son’s artwork from the wall, which visually opened up so much space! Smiles all around!
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Mesa’s gift time used, Michelle and Larry were pleased. Success!
About De-clutter Me!
De-clutter Me! offers non-judgmental, competitively-priced and confidential assistance to help clear clutter in your home and/or business. We’ve been changing chaos to calm since 2013.
Cece is devoted to her cat Babe. Boxes, bags and big pieces of paper are laid out for her to jump into and otherwise enjoy.
We started by clearing a floor area, then moved on to a corner piece holding family items, then to the table.
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Our next area of focus was her desk.
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With our remaining time, we cleared some of the living room floor space.
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With great first progress achieved, we scheduled another session in a couple of weeks. Responding to my thank-you note, Cece wrote back that Babe had lots of new space to run around. Success!
About De-clutter Me!
De-clutter Me! offers non-judgmental, competitively-priced and confidential assistance to help clear clutter in your home and/or business. We’ve been changing chaos to calm since 2013.
Natalie feared that I would cringe when first seeing the work we would do together. A house tour showed the piano room, the dining room, the master bedroom and its walk-in closet. Also, some art could be hung. Where to start? Continue reading “Natalie’s Projects – a Process”→
Lisa and Jim were nearing the end of their extensive kitchen renovation project. They’d been living with the upheaval for six months. Anyone who’s dealt with that knows how quickly it becomes tiring and stressful. (I can relate, having existed in my condo while it was being completely redone – painted, new floors, appliances, cupboards, countertops – the works!)
She asked me to help her to decide where to put some items, then to empty the dining room table and return it to its real use. We listened to music, worked fast, and shared some laughs. Before long, the table was back where it belonged, complete with a vase holding gorgeous big, fuschia peony blossoms.
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About De-clutter Me!
De-clutter Me! offers non-judgmental, competitively-priced and confidential assistance to help clear clutter in your home and/or business. We’ve been “bringing calm to chaos” since 2013.
