Trying To Calm It Down

As I mentioned a while back, I have (slowly) been working on my own workspace, wanting it to be more beautiful and functional....however, it keeps getting bumped down in the queue by other more important activities/projects. This week, I made sure to set aside an hour and a half to just look things over and see what is needing my attention. First, I took some pictures. Lots of pictures. It is amazing to me how removing myself, in a way, from the room can help me "see" it so much better. While looking at the snapshots, I realized that I have a lot of sh** going on in here! Things that I never would tolerate in a client's space, have snuck into mine...often with my permission and invitation. Time to calm things down.

When there is a lot to look at--lots of small items, lots of chatchkas, lots of STUFF--it can be overstimulating. Even if the items are loved and useful (meaning they aren't clutter), it can still be too much to have to LOOK at them all of the time. Part of calming down my workspace is going to be just removing a lot of the items from view and storing them in a more streamlined way.

Just like a good piece of writing, a room needs editing. Time to get out my red pen! I will keep you posted....

Hopefully it won't be another three months before I get back to it again!

My Book Is DONE!!!!

Today is a BIG DAY for me, and I am SO EXCITED to share it with you! I have been thinking, organizing, brainstorming, and writing these past few months so that I can share the work I do in a whole new way . The result is a fun, interactive collection of assignments--

Project Home Workbook: 4 Weeks To A Nurturing, Lovely Home

With this workbook you will be able to:

• Create a nurturing and lovely space using my four simple weekly assignments.
• Produce a beautiful 'After' from a frustrating 'Before.'
• Feel peaceful and proud (finally) of where you live.

To get your FREE WORKBOOK go to my website, enter your email address in the sign-up box, and click 'get started'.....YAY!!!!

Where There Once Was A Ping Pong Table...

Today is one of those days that I wish I had a time machine...  

Because, if I did I would go back and make myself take more before pictures! Here are the only two I have to share...not the best perspectives, but they will have to do.

My clients are getting ready to sell their house of 25+ years, and asked me to come and help them get it ready for potential buyers to see. I was so excited to get started, I forgot to take pictures!

Rooms that they hadn't been sure how to arrange were given a new lease on life, so that it is easier for new people to envision how they would live in the house. The space that had housed a ping pong table  and a mixture of many different types and styles of furniture, is now a lovely seating area adjacent to the kitchen. We just used existing furnishings from all over the house to make it work better and look more inviting.

I want to take a seat, don't you?? And that is the whole point!

I understand that my clients have been SITTING IN THIS ROOM this past week and enjoying it now--something they had not done in a long time. That just, like, makes my day x 1,000.

What Is Blooming At My House...

Once again, I am amazed by their stunning display, so I have to share the story.... About twelve years ago, I was wandering through the big box home store and stumbled upon some puny, sad little trees on sale. I stood there and wondered. Hmmm.....would those look nice? Not much to look at now....but maybe.....

With an infant and toddler in tow, I somehow hauled a couple of sad saplings up to the register, stuffed them into the minivan, and even managed to plant them before they died. 

Much like the house they were planted next to, they were humble things with humble beginnings, but I hoped that, despite their lack of pedigree, they would find a way to be the wonderful trees I thought they could be...someday.

This morning those crabapple trees weren't thinking "Well, I had better hold back. I'm nothin' special afterall...."

Nope. Those pathetic twigs in plastic pots have become glorious trees that are proud to be in full bloom, perfuming the breeze and intoxicating each bumblebee that buzzes by.

So, how about you? Are you proudly blooming where you are planted? Maybe your home isn't where you always dreamed of living, maybe it isn't  the style of house or the neighborhood of your dreams....but you can bloom there anyway.

When you arrive home each day, I hope you feel a sense of deep satisfaction and pride in where you live. I hope you feel that your home is beautiful and shows the world in some way who you are. 

I hope you can put your feet up there, and feel that it is a place that helps you to become more of who you want to be. Have faith that with time, creativity, and proper nurturing the simplest of dwellings can become simply beautiful...plastic pots, twigs and all. 

A VERRRRY Busy APRIL!

Well, I haven't been here much lately.... because I have been many other places!!! It has been an exciting few weeks.

At the beginning of the month, I was so honored to be a part of the day-long retreat Creating Sacred Space: Paths To Simplicity And Spirituality At Home....

You may remember me talking about it before.

Well, the day finally came!

and it was AMAZING --full of inspiring ideas, lovely people...

wonderful presentations, and heart-warming fellowship...

I was honored to be a part of it, and be able to speak about the things that are so dear to my heart--creating a nurturing, uncluttered home that speaks to your soul --one that supports you and those you love....

The very next day, I jumped on a plane...or two...

and into a taxi...

so that I could be in Asheville, North Carolina for a 4 day business retreat....

 I so enjoyed Asheville-- I learned so much and gained so many insights about Revealing Redesign that I think my business will forever be changed for the better!

All in all, a very busy and truly amazing April.