At my suggestion, Valerie and I scheduled (what I call) a “double session day.” Somewhat patterned on high school sports practices just before the school year begins, it’s three hours in the morning, a lunch break, and then three more hours in the afternoon. I’d cautioned her that it can be tiring and intense. She said that she’s committed to transforming her house.
Arriving, I asked what she wanted to do. A quick answer – she wanted to make the kitchen workable. Okay! We would clear its counters’ clutter. Starting at the left of a counter, we started in. I reminded Valerie that it would be very detailed work. We would touch every object, to determine if she should keep it and, if not, how to dispose of it. Trash? Recycle? Donate? Give away? We would explore the options.
Even though the kitchen looked like it had ample cupboard space, it already seemed limited. Two corner shelves were taken up by her charming and fun collection of salt and pepper shakers. They deserve to be displayed! Valerie had found some wood shelving by the side of the road that would work well. Also, around the corner from the kitchen was a pantry, with pull-out shelves. We would organize that to its best use in a future session.
The counter held a variety of objects. We put knives and various other cutting implements in a wide drawer, using dividers that Valerie magically pulled from the dining area. We added small bowls and plates to the cupboard above the counter. We set aside collected cutlery and big serving pieces for later sorting. I wedged the shelf extender into the cupboard. What might migrate into the newly-provided space? That was to be determined.
Respecting that Valerie prefers mostly empty counters, she “let me” place together a mortar and pestle, and containers for honey, garlic, and sugar. She would hang the fun mermaid bottle opener. I put the tea kettle on the stove. I urged her to not use it as a counter, to protect its flat cooking surface.
We continued our “tour” of the counters and stove. We put coffee and sugar in a cupboard, and the various clear plastic canisters in the pantry.
On it went. We cleared more counter space and the cart next to it, washed some items, and put others in the dishwasher.
We discussed cookbooks. Knowing that Valerie especially likes old “stuff,” I suggested that she find something like airy French bakery shelves to place next to the big breakfront to hold cookbooks. The salt and pepper shakers collection might look nice above it.
We also sorted lots of cutlery and serving pieces. Some would stay in the house. She would put others in her AirBnB next door, and donate others. A few went into the trash.
It was a full day! Valerie said that she was feeling a bit tired. I acknowledged that she’d worked hard. We’d cleared kitchen counter clutter. Where to next? Maybe the living room area, or the pantry. We would be together in another month, and both look forward to it.
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.