From the Studio

I jumped on a plane early Friday morning, and flew to New York for business this weekend. I got back late last night, so am now playing catch up … and here I am! I promise to get the new computer notebook soonsoonsoon so that I can keep current on all things as I move around.

But let me just tell you – the energy in Manhattan is second to NONE. Granted, the economy is down, but the pulse is as feverish as ever in Times Square. There are throngs of people everywhere, and everybody’s talking at once!

I stayed in a hotel at 49th and Broad(way). I love it when we set home base in that area, because that’s where the action is. And it’s a very short jaunt to the Fashion District. I walk over there and prowl up and down the streets; I get fabric and trims, and lots of ideas! I love going to Mood Fabrics (you’ll see them featured on Project Runway). One of the guys at Mood – Terek – is the “go-to guy” for me. He knows exactly what I’m looking for. Sometimes I call him on the phone and send up an S.O.S. He helps me out every time!

And I’ve got to say – if you’ve never been to New York (or even if you have) - one of the very best times to go is right now, in the early fall. It’s just so beautiful there. The air is crisp, the crowds, though huge, are not nearly what they’ll be at Thanksgiving all the way through New Years. It leaves you feeling energized, you’ll be bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to tackle … well, anything!

With that in mind, let’s address something that most of us have been putting off for ... too long: clearing clutter, and overall cleaning. We’re continuing to talk about creating a space that you love to come home to. It starts with rooms that have in them only the things that you need, and that you love. It's time to let go of everything else.

My daughter called me this weekend from Atlanta. She’s a beautiful woman, a fabulous musician and all round creative spirit. She told me she was loving the crisp weather in GA, too, and was on her way home to throw open the windows and do a “fall clean.” Oh,” I said, “you’re gonna blow the stink out of the place are you?” We both laughed, because that’s what we call it when it’s past time to scrub things down to a spit shine and let some fresh air blow through. The fall season puts us in the mood to do just that.

I spoke with her today, and she got the job done. Now it's my turn ... and I'm ready!
And then I got to thinking, how do I encourage you to start to create your spaces, to get cozy’d in for the winter? It all starts with a good cleaning.

When my kids were young we had very little money, so my friends and I would do “cleaning days.” I’d go help them with a deep clean, and they would come help me. Well, that was years ago, and now it’s me and Max (my dog) doing the work. Actually I work and he watches and sleeps and runs in circles and races to the front door to bark at the mailman. I put on my sweats, turn up the music, push up my sleeves, and get going.

One of the things that happens when we clean is we come across stuff that we can’t quite tell what to do with. If you don't have a system, that will wear your brain out in short order! So now when I’m clearing clutter and doing general "gotta get my life in order" stuff, I start by making a list. In my trade we call it a “punch list.” I organize the list by rooms, and list what needs to be done in each room. For example, on my page about the blue bedroom, it says: I need to paint, and hang the new curtain rod. I also need to purchase a quilt and an area rug. I need to get a piece of artwork framed, and I need to purchase something to hang over the red bookcase.

Once I get my lists made, they go in my “Designers Workbook.” It’s a white three ring binder that is dedicated to projects, past and future. There is a plastic sleeve for receipts; there are also sleeves for paint chips and swatches for each room, along with dimensions of the room and the windows.

Once my lists are done, I get started. Time to clear the clutter.

I usually put three boxes in a row on the floor or table and label them “sell," "give away,” or “throw away.” The “keep” pile goes on the floor or on the bed. Once I’m done, I don’t deal with the boxes until I’ve put the things in the pile away. I don’t know, for some reason that helps to make sense of the chaos. The boxes get moved with me to the next room ... and on and on until they're filled with all the "give away" and "throw away" things I've ferreted out. I put the "throw aways" in the garbage; I put the "give aways" in the garage for the charity truck.

Oh, almost forgot! The first page in my Designers Workbook is a list with phone numbers for all the workers - contractors, repair men, plumbers, electricians, painters ... and the charity truck. The first thing I do when starting a cleaning like this is I call and schedule the charity truck. That is my way of putting ME on notice that they're coming, so I need to get all the stuff that's going to charity pulled out and in the box labeled "give away."

When it’s paper that I’m going through, there are two boxes labeled “file,” and “shred.” There is a trash bag for things I can safely throw away without shredding. When the “shred” box if full, I’ll take it to a place on the square that does file storage. They will shred it for me for around 5 or ten dollars.

So the idea is, it’s time to set things right, go a little "Fung Shui," put all your home in order. That means it's time to clean the surfaces, clean out the drawers and shelves. Time to get ready for the beautiful spaces that are to come. And trust me: they're coming!

A well prepared space will make you feel ever so much more peaceful. Kind of like climbing between fresh sheets after a long day and a warm bath. Is there anything better? I don't think so!

If you have any questions or comments, please email or write in the comment section and I’ll get back to you.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, if you need some help, or just a pep talk, have no fear.
That’s why I’m here!


Create!



Cece D for DDG