The Bed Skirt Dilema

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Category: Organizing Advice

Published on Saturday, 06 April 2013 15:03

For all of you single folks, or just having to do it all by yourself folks ~
Have you put off flipping or turning your mattress because of your bed skirt? Isn't it frustrating to fix that bedskirt while holding the mattress up by yourself?? It's impossible!
I have a solution ~ by simply cutting out the center of your bed skirt, (looks like a horseshoe) leaving approx 8 to 10 inches of "tucking" material, once you flip or turn your mattress, just tuck that bedskirt, and adjust as short or long as you need.......!!

A story about a cart, and a horse...

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Category: Merchandising and Staging Tips

Published on Friday, 22 March 2013 15:31

I begin this blog with a short story;

A client, and dear friend of mine recently bought a new home.  She is very sweet but a bit impulsive(not anymore) decided to decorate her home.  I applaud those who are motivated this soon after they move in, as I know the investment it takes in purchasing the home!  However because of this large home purchase, she decided to save some money, and decorate it herself.  Again, nothing wrong with that at all, yet she has amazing taste, but not sure how to go about the steps to get there.   With that being said she decided to paint her master bathroom first!(the bedroom not painted yet), and then buy accessories for the family room, and eat in kitchen area(before picking out the furniture, or painting).  She also purchased over $100 in sample paints, deciding which colors to use for her family room, kitchen, master bedroom, and foyer.  All the time I had been gently advising her of the possible consequence by putting the cart before the horse(so to speak).  Unfortunately this is very common, you do not know what you do not know.......until you do!

End the end, she called me to come out, taking only 30 minutes to pick out the paint for her whole house, which included driving there and buying the samples.  We had to re-paint the master bath, as she did not want the bedroom to be any off shade of the original bathroom color she picked, and she gave away all the accessories she purchased for the family room as they did not go with the new furniture selection or the wall colors.

By spending a small investment one time, and calling me in in the beginning, she told me she would have saved over $1,000 by trying to do it herself........to save money.

The moral to the story is;  there is nothing wrong with saving money, however sometimes you have to invest / spend a little to get A LOT!

A client's first home ~

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Category: Order by Design Inc. News

Published on Wednesday, 13 March 2013 11:00

"I moved into my first apartment on my own and was immediately overwhelmed. I had so many ideas to decorate but no clue where to start. Thank goodness for Heidi! I sent her pictures of what I was looking for in my new place. She came over and talked with me and went over the pictures and ideas I had so she understood exactly what I wanted. I felt completely at ease when she left to shop. When she came back I couldn't contain my excitement! She made my place absolutely beautiful and everything she got was perfectly in line with the idea I had in my head. Most importantly, she helped my new "place" feel like my new "home".

Thank you Heidi you're amazing!"   Caroline Stephenson - Atlanta, GA

More words from a client ~

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Category: Order by Design Inc. News

Published on Friday, 08 March 2013 05:42

"Order by Design has been instrumental in my life. I am a stay at home mom with an infant and a toddler. I moved into my townhouse a little over a year ago. Growing up I felt like I was an "organized" person. Turns out I was just a perfectionist. Ever since I had to take care of a whole household everything seemed to fall apart on me. I heard of Order By Design shortly after moving into my home. I thought about asking for organization help, but kept believing the lies that I just have a lack of time issue, and that as my kids get older I will have a cleaner house. Daily, I felt like I was running around my house trying to keep it clean. No matter how much I worked I felt like it was all for nothing. For me, if my house looked the same as it did when my husband left for work, it was a good day! I was so embarrassed by my house that no guest had ever been upstairs in my home. My problem was greater than I knew. Once I finally realized I couldn’t get my house in order on my own I finally called on Order By Design. After meeting Heidi, I saw that I had more than just an organizational problem. I also was living in fear. A lot of the accumulation of stuff had come from living in fear. I essentially started to hoard every good deal I could come across thinking that if I bought it then, at a good price, that when I need it I would have it. I didn't realize my behavior was hurting my whole household. Not only did I have way too many momentums from the past, but I had stuff that I just wanted to keep because I spent good money on it or thought I'd use the items later. I couldn’t find a home for most of my stuff so it piled up everywhere. With Order By Design, I was able to start working in the direction of gaining space in my house back. I also gained more self-esteem and confidence to be able to take care of my home with pride. Once I realized the fear of not being able to afford things in the future and that I'd rather have a clean, organized space than holding onto "things" I took the plunge. Heidi was able to give me assignments to help get it started. I was relieved immediately knowing that if I followed her direction I would soon have the organized home I dreamed of having. I quickly started to gain space back and I felt so motivated and empowered to keep going. I had no problem at that point to donate things and throw things out. I am fighting not only for a clean house but for the liberation of the unhealthy bondage and captivity I have felt living in my home due to the mess and chaos. I have already donated just about half of the things I have gone through in my home thus far. I have no regret getting rid of the stuff that I used to think was worthy of keeping. My mental well-being has changed drastically. I feel calm and confident as I see the changes. I am enjoying spending time in my home with my children instead of feeling like we are drowning in mess. I even play with my children upstairs! What Order By Design has done for me has been HUGE. It has enhanced the quality of my life and environment. It is so much easier my life by utilizing the space I had. I highly recommend Order By Design to everyone. No project is too big or too small for her. She dives right in and gets to work. There is no need to be embarrassed with her. She helped me to see that many people have the same issues I have and that it has nothing to do with being lazy, too busy, or incompetent. We all have our own strengths and organization is just not one of mine. Heidi can really access, make a plan, and execute like no other! I am forever grateful for her and her talent. My only regret is not calling on Order by Design sooner! My life will be forever changed."

A few words from a Client......

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Category: Order by Design Inc. News

Published on Thursday, 31 January 2013 23:27

Is it all too much?

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Category: Organizing Advice

Published on Friday, 25 January 2013 17:28

I had a new client appointment the other day, and as usual, I fully understood why I was called.

It was a beautiful home, full of love, kids, a new puppy, and all that goes with that.   There were at least 4 areas of the home that needed to be approached, and reconfigured.

Again, it is the typical household today; many activities, growing children with many different gifts and talents to be explored, and only 24 hours in a day, with at least a 3rd of those for sleeping.

The demands on a parent grow every year.  It is not the same as when I was a child, and could be "gone" all day til suppertime, and then called in for the night.   

I believe the one thing that has not changed with the times is our mindset that we have to do it all ourselves.  It is virtually impossible in todays times.  The responsibilities grow but the hours in a day do not.  We HAVE to choose the priorities, and that does not always include having an organized home.  Not all of us are "wired" with this ability, hence the crossover of an organizer from a luxury, to a necessity.

Get on board, and share the responsibilities.  We are all given special gifts and talents, and they are all unique.  We are here to help each other............I am here to help.

Let's get busy!

Happy New Year! Let's start the movement in your home ~

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Category: Order by Design Inc. News

Published on Friday, 18 January 2013 03:30

It's the PERFECT time for a new start, in many areas of your life!

I know for me, it is a great time to purge all the "fun" unhealthy food out of my kitchen, and replace it with the "good" things my body likes!

Making room for the new, requires moving the old somewhere else.  Do you know where that should be?  Not many of us do.  Those things simply become a part of our home, and just remain scattered about with no real purpose.  

Let's start the movement!   It will refresh your eye, your mind, and the way you see things!

Happy Movement!

Newtown, CT

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Category: Order by Design Inc. News

Published on Thursday, 20 December 2012 21:34

We at Order By Design want to send out our prayers & thoughts to all the families affected by this horrible tragedy.

There are no words that can mend this permanent damage, but please know the prayers are being said.

Our sincerest condolences ~

Back to School time is here again ~

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Category: Organizing Advice

Published on Monday, 06 August 2012 15:06

It is that time again, I am amazed how quickly this summer came and went.

The time is approaching for "new" school/art work coming home in the backpacks of our children;  what do you do with it all?

If you have not started separate containers for each child to hold these treasured pieces, now is the time!   I suggest poster size in width and length, and perhaps 12 to 18 inches in height.  You can keep them in a guest room, storage closet, etc.  This will provide you an initial place for the work to go until you can determine if you want to keep them long term.

2nd phase calls for large (fun color) 3 ring binders; again for each child.  Insert plastic sleeves and simply place the smaller items inside, back to back.   You may want your child to create their own label for the outside, place on a lower bookshelf so they can show their friends and family when they come over!

Happy back to schooling!!!

Memorial Day

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Category: Order by Design Inc. News

Published on Monday, 28 May 2012 17:54