michpam's Profile

I have the shower curtain used as a drape near the door. In fact, I have three of them because I loved the large scale leaves and the colors. Two are still in the package waiting for me to recover my outdoor furniture cushions with them. LOVE

Solid color sage comforter/duvet, and buy another drapery panel to make pillow shams and a bed runner (like they have at fancy hotels, to dress up the white duvet). That will bring the color over to the bed and pull the room together.

Maybe I'm a bit of a freak, but I can't go to bed until everything is cleaned up, floors included. Last thing I want to do is get up to make coffee and have to walk across the nasty kitchen floor. The only thing I'll leave is the clean pile of serving pieces, that need to be "arranged" (my storage is limited) in order to be stored. I make coffee, relax and recall the wonderful memories of the party, then put the serving pieces away later in the afternoon.

Butter bell! Live in Florida and it keeps butter fresh, despite the heat and humidity. Love it.

I really like it. Love the red and white as it looks nice and clean. And the painting? Geez, I'm a; messy cook but it' on the far wall so how far do you guys spew your ingredients when you cook?

ixnay on the additional piece of furniture as it would really close off the space - unless of course, you NEED the storage the additional piece would offer. I'd rather ditch stuff than clutter up this amazing kitchen.

This kitchen rocks!

I know what you mean! My house cleaner actually quit another client, telling me, "They simply didn't understand I was not their maid, but their house cleaner".

The longer you keep a house cleaner, the better she gets to know you and what you like. After 4-6 visits of 'general house cleaning', simply offer her another $20 per visit, and ask her to tackle a task outside 'general house cleaning' each week. You'll learn whether she would prioritize the deep-cleaning and/or organization/decluttering spaces the same way you would, and if not, direct her. If after 4-6 visits she seems to not know your preferences, you may have to find another organizer. I share a house cleaner with three friends, and our house cleaner, Linda, actually put up holiday decorations and rearranged home accessories for my 'decorating challenged' friends - who REALLY appreciate it!

I have a small home redecorating/organization/decluttering business, and have done home offices, but generally ask the client to collect all the papers before I start. I don't mind setting up and organization system for files, but I don't want to look through all their stuff. TMI. I'll do closets, but I ask clients to take everything out before I start so I don't accidentally 'find' something I'd really rather I hadn't seen.

You will have to let go, just a bit, because inevitably the organizer will think differently than you do about what goes where. If you don't like system the organizer has implemented, try it for a couple of weeks to see if it could actually work for you before changing it. Conventional wisdom says after you do something three times, it becomes a habit so you may just decide it works great after all.

When I house-sit for friends and their pets, I generally clean out kitchen drawers, the refrigerator, and neaten cupboards, storage areas and closets. I do not go into any of their personal spaces, like clothing drawers and closets. Everyone appreciates my cleaning/reorganizing efforts, with the possible exception of one friend's husband who is, ummmmm....slow to warm up, though I haven't heard that he's undone anything I have done.

Let me know if you live in the Tampa area; I'd be happy to provide references and offer my services to you! Good luck.

Oh, and ironically, have the SAME ductwork above mine!

Black, white, khaki and red. I'm good to go. Oh, and those Zenergy pieces from Chico's? Dry overnight and look neat and crisp all day.

Charmin toilet paper, Heinz catsup, Kraft Miracle Whip, Hellman's Mayonnaise, Bounty paper napkins, Cheerios, Kellogg's Raisin Bran Crunch. I think that's it.

Make an 8' x 8' upholstered headboard using (2) 4'x8' pieces of 1/4' plywood, each covered with foam (those memory foam mattress pads are awesomely comfortable as a headboard lining) and then wrapped/upholstered (can use drapery panels if you take out the stitching for the header, hem and side hems and just wrap each plywood piece). Do them separately, and then use that really sticky velcro (can get it at Lowes) and attach them together with about (5) 18" pieces (9" on each panel, and then an 18" piece to hold them together) AND then to the window/wall behind. This will be easier with two people as the panels are kind of wobbly but if you use thicker plywood, they'll be so dang heavy you will have a hard time maneuvering them.

Put your bed and nightstand against the new 'headboard'. You can even attach reading lights to the headboard (cut holes and run cords behind). The combination of the velcro and bed tucked against the headboard will keep it in place. The padding and upholstery will block noise and light.

Let me know if you end up doing this - and post pics!