Small Changes Can Yield Big Results

View from Royalton Hill courtesy of Ceil Petrucelli Designs

Life is all about change. Big changes, small changes. Some changes that are very evident, others so small that sometimes they are hardly noticed at all - yet make a big impact over the long run. Fall is a season of change - especially here in Vermont where the changing colors seem to be Mother Nature's way of giving us that one last blast of warm color before blanketing us in snowy whites and cooler shades of blues and greys.

I recently read an article that talked about "the power of one." How one person can sometimes make a difference in the community and even the world; how one idea could take hold and change our perception; how one small invention could change technology; how one change in your daily habits could have a major impact on your life; how one small change can have a ripple effect that could lead to bigger transformations.

That article got me to thinking about making small changes that could yield bigger results, especially when it comes to decorating, organizing, and saving money, and at the same time be able to give something back and be conscious of our impact on our community as well as the Earth.

I'm an interior designer and decorator, and my business also includes home organizing services, color consultations, shopping services, and more. I'm always involved in some sort of "change" in the lives of my clients - sometimes major changes (building a new home, renovating an existing home, adding a new addition); sometimes smaller changes (bathroom renovations, kitchen renovations, redecorating or redesigning a bedroom or a living room); and sometimes just helping someone to get started on the whole process - to be the "go to" person if they need a hand with color selections, furniture placement, figuring out storage options, finding specific types of materials or products that will work best for their lifestyle. Sometimes the choices available are overwhelming to some clients and that's where I can help them to narrow things down, focus, and ultimately make decisions - hopefully ones that they will be happy with when all is said and done.

So, here are a few "small & relatively inexpensive" things you can do around your home which can ultimately lead to some results that could have a much bigger impact.

• Clear clutter. Seriously - pare down, simplify, get rid of stuff that no longer has a useful value to you or your family. By clearing clutter you'll open up your space and your life to new opportunities. Use the "one in, one out" rule. For every new thing you bring in, you have to get rid of something "old."

• Take it one step at a time. Even if you clean out your "junk drawer" (everyone has one, right?) or a dresser drawer to start. Set a timer. Give yourself a limit - say 15 minutes to start. See how much you can accomplish in a specific amount of time.

• Then reward yourself after - a cup of tea, a 15-minute walk (with your dogs if you have them); pick some fresh flowers from your garden and put them in that pretty vase you just discovered buried in the back of a cabinet. The point is - take it one step at a time and don't try to accomplish too much at one time. Then reward yourself with something that will make you feel happy and positive (and not feel guilty later).

Sometimes, when you're clearing stuff out, you find things that can be useful to others.

• I have a "donation box" or two that I keep for just that type of thing. Books, CD's, DVD's, and possibly some magazines can be donated to the library, or possibly a nursing home, a senior center, etc. Clothing and household items in good condition can be donated to Salvation Army or Goodwill. Habitat for Humanity will often accept donations of various household goods. Old towels, sheets, blankets, etc. can be donated to the local animal shelter. This is a rewarding experience - giving stuff away that you no longer need but that could make a huge difference to someone who does.

The economic climate is a little shaky right now, and many of us might want to try to sell some of those items instead of donating them.

• There are lots of places to sell your unwanted items and make a little extra money. You can try local consignment and second hand stores, used book stores, Ebay, Craigs List, have a tag or garage sale, place ads in the classifieds, etc. Some people are having home parties -- a group of friends get together, bring their unwanted items to the party, and things get traded. Or - to add a nice twist - various items are bid on and some of the proceeds go to a designated non-profit. A great way to get together, have some fun, and do some good for others, too.

This is my first installment on the topic of "Small Changes Can Yield Big Results." Stay tuned for the next installment!

In the meantime, check out my Special Promotion for November and December which will benefit some non-profits that are near and dear to my heart!

More Organizing Tips and Information

I recently found a great new resource with all kinds of organizing and planning tools!

Check it out here and let me know what you think!

September 1, 2008

It's already September - where did the summer go? It's been a busy few months - hardly any extra time to keep up with with my House Therapist Blog. So many new ideas, so many things to do, so many people to keep in touch with.... and a few new projects to tackle, too.

It seems that there are frequent topics or themes that keep popping up in my life and with my clients lately. They are getting organized, downsizing, clearing clutter, and refreshing or redecorating existing spaces. The economy seems to be a major factor lately, including real estate, gas & oil prices, and making the most of what you aleady have. More people are staying home, cutting back on travel, and trying to figure ways to simplify their lives.

Many people are also downsizing, thinking about retirement, selling bigger homes, or moving into senior or assisted living facilities. Many of my friends are "sandwiched" between caring for their parents as well as their own children (and sometimes, grandchildren). Not an easy time for many people.

I have started to work on a "House Therapy" project for an elderly aunt who lives in central CT.

She is in her 80's, single, never married, with no children. Her health has been failing and she will probably have to move into senior housing within the next year or so. My siblings and I are attempting to help her get organized so she can make the move. The project is not without challenges - and working on this particular project has really made me think about things.

This particular project will be a major challenge for all involved. Primarily because my aunt is a "collector," a "pack rat," and is also very disorganized, keeps things way beyond their useful life, doesn't like to throw things out, had a lot of hobbies & interests, and has emotional attachments to almost everything she owns. Each object "has a story" and her idenity seems to be linked with her possessions instead of who she is as a person. She's been having a difficult time letting go - and did I mention that she's also a control freak? She has definite opinions about things and doesn't like to listen to people whose opinions may differ from hers. As I said, a challenge to deal with.

So, over the next several months, we have a plan in place to systematically go through everything, room by room, identify what to keep, what to sell, what to donate, and what to throw out. It's a 13-room house on 3 floors that she has lived in for more than 45 years, so it won't be an easy task. The house is completely crammed with "stuff" -- including the basement and garage. Of course it doesn't help that the house also used to belong to my grandparents, so there is still a lot of family stuff stored there.

Since I am "in the business" of organizing (among other things), I'll probably be the "go to" person and have already started to pull together a plan and schedule to make this happen. Hopefully, she'll be open to our suggestions and allow the process to go smoothly and in a timely fashion.
Here are some things to consider when assisting an elderly relative who is downsizing or moving into assisted living:

• Try to be compassionate and cognizant of their feelings and attachments to certain things.


• The process can be overwhelming - so take it one step at a time. Don't try to go in and get it all done in a few hours. Pace yourself. Don't spend more than 4-5 hours in one day trying to get it all accomplished at once. Better to take a break and come back to it.


• Be firm about getting rid of anything that no longer has any real value to them. Determine first what they will actually need once they move. Start with the basics, then add a few well-chosen items.
  
• Anything that cannot be used when they move into new space should be sorted into the following categories: Sell, Donate/Give Away, or Trash


• If there are items of value to be sold, such as antiques, art, furniture, household items, jewelry, cars, appliances, etc. the appropriate "sales vehicle" must be found. Get an experienced, trustworthy, and knowledgeable appraiser in to help you. Don't wing it. You could end up being sorry later.


• There are numerous ways to sell items, depending on what they are and their value. Auctions, estate sales, tag sales, consignment shops, Ebay, CraigsList, classified ads, art & antique dealers, junk dealers, used furniture dealers, flea markets, etc. Lots of options to choose from. You have to decide which method will work the best. A lot will depend on the type of items to be sold and your geographic area.


• The next way to get rid of items is to donate them. If they are in fairly good condition, still usable, but don't have a very high monetary value, they can be donated to places like Goodwill, Salvation Army, a community warehouse, Habitat for Humanity, a local homeless shelter, etc. Many non-profits can take used furniture, household items, older appliances, etc. and will give you a donation form which you can use for tax purposes. You can also donate clothing that is in good condition. Some schools may take art & craft supplies. Animal shelters always need old sheets, blankets, bedding, etc.


• You could also give away some items to family members and friends, as well as have them purchase some of the items (depending on the value).


• Anything that is being sold or donated should be inventoried. Keep a running list of various items as well as their potential value. Depending on how you are planning to sell various items, you may have several lists.
• You can prepare a "master list" on an Excel spreadsheet and then sort it down into separate categories.


• The rest of the stuff has to be trashed or thrown out. There are a few options depending on the amount of "stuff" to be thrown out and what type of "stuff" it is. If it includes old electronics, TV's, appliances, paint, household chemicals, then check your local regulations regarding disposal.


• You may also be able to recycle a lot of items, especially old newspapers, magazines, bottles, cans, glass, etc. You could also rent a dumpster and make arrangements for your local trash hauler to pick it up and dispose of once you're done.


• Old paperwork, files, checks, documents, etc. should be shredded to avoid having personal information get into the wrong hands.


• You may also be able to get a scrap metal dealer or junk dealer to haul things away - and possibly pay you for some of the stuff they are taking away.

After all the organizing & sorting work is done, then you can start to prepare the house for resale. That topic will be covered in a future post.

In the meantime, check my website for a list of services I can provide if you are planning to downsize or need help getting organized. I can also help you to stage your home to get it ready for resale.

You can also find some great products for organizing on my website. Go to my on-line shopping page for some great resources. My monthly specials include some great organizing sources, and you can also find books about organizing, clearing clutter, and simplifying your life on my website.

Until next time!

A Custom-Built Vermont Log Home for Sale!

In my last post, I mentioned that my sister and brother-in-law were planning to downsize and put their home on the market. I spent a day there to assist my sister with some organizing, clearing clutter, and staging. Well, the house is now on the market and you can view it here!
http://www.buyvermonthomenow.com/

My Picks for Some Great Books On Organizing and Getting Your Home Ready-for Resale

A Recent Home Staging & Reorganizing Project

My sister and brother-in-law have a beautiful custom-built log home in South Royalton, VT on 10 acres which they completed in 1998 after their original home was destroyed in a devastating fire during the winter of 1997. When they built the new house, their three kids were all living at home and they needed a lot more room and space to accommodate kids, pets, home offices, frequent entertaining and guests, not to mention friends & family members who liked to "hang out" just because it was such a great and enjoyable place to be. Lots of great memories, especially holidays spent there over the years, and my niece's wedding in the summer of 2004.

Well, the kids have grown and are no longer living at home, both my sister and her husband travel frequently for business (and pleasure), and they've decided it's time to downsize and sell their home. It's just too much house for two people. They are planning to build a smaller, energy efficient, very low maintenance, and totally green home on some other land they have in Bethel, VT. (Hopefully, I'll be involved in that, too!)

My sister periodically "purges" her house, and did a lot of work last year when her daughter was visiting. But things have a tendency to clutter up again. So, my sister gave me a call a couple weeks ago and asked if I could spend a day to help her to get things "ready-for-resale." We synchronized schedules and picked a day. I got there early and my sister had already made some progress, knowing that I'd be there to work with her. She & I have always made a good team, I think. We are both pretty focused and goal-oriented, and we approach most things in a logical, practical way. We are also able to put aside some of the "emotions" that come up when you're dealing with something as personal as your home, possesions, and what to do when change is necessary and inevitable. I was pleased that she asked for my help and I was thrilled that we were able to get quite a bit accomplished in a day. Amazing what can be accomplished if you work together as a team!

My brother-in-law was suitably impressed when he got home from work that evening (bearing a large veggie pizza and a delicious Greek salad for supper!) There is still some work to be done (I left them with a checklist), but it is all manageable.

It got me to thinking about some basic things that people should know and do before putting their house on the market. Some of this seems like common sense to me, but you'd be surprised at the number of houses that I've seen that are cluttered, disorganized, in poor repair, and sometimes, kind of dirty. If you want to sell your house, it's time to put aside all the memories of special times you've had in the house and start to look at it through the eyes of a prospective buyer. This is probably your biggest investment, and you have to think of it as a marketable product you have for sale - and you want to get the most out of it.

Here are a few things you should do before trying to sell your house:

Outside

• Mow and water the lawn; rake up any dead leaves
• Trim trees, shrubs, and plant some flowers - or make sure that any garden beds are cleared of debris & weeds and look attractive
• Store all bikes, equipment, toys, tools, etc. out of sight
• Paint or touch up the outside of your house
• Make sure your front door is freshly painted or clean and welcoming
• Weather permitting, have some potted plants or flowers by your front door
• This is a good time to clear out and organize your garage and/or basement!

Inside

• Eliminate any unnecessary furniture, outdated accessories, floral arrangements that are past their prime, etc. This also includes any knickknacks that are cluttering up surfaces and catching dust!
• Clean out closets and clear off countertops
• Eliminate any clutter!
• Scrub & clean all tile floors, especially high traffic areas and bathrooms. Bathrooms need to be spotless!
• Have all carpets professionally cleaned if possible!
• Clean all windows & mirrors. Windows should also be cleaned on the outside. Hire a professional if you can't do it yourself!
• Clean stains in sinks and tubs.
• Fix any leaky faucets or toilets. Replace if necessary!
• Replace missing door or cabinet handles
• Fix or replace any broken appliances
• Paint various rooms if necessary
• Any major repairs should be discussed with your realtor and how they affect the value of your home

Freshen Up

• Stop smoking in the house and get rid of any ashtrays!
• Bathe pets and clean out litter boxes.
• Empty and clean out all trash, recycling bins, various storage areas
• Dry clean drapes and shampoo carpets. This should be done by a professional for best results!
• In good weather, open the windows and let in some fresh air!
• Use baking soda or other natural air fresheners in smell-prone areas
• Place fresh flowers, lightly scented potpourri, candles, or air fresheners around the house. However, don't overdo it! A lighter hand is better than a heavy hand when it comes to scented candles, potpourri, and air fresheners. Anything citrus or cinnamon scented is usually OK. Some florals are too cloying and may induce sneezing fits!
• Make sure your house is clean! No cobwebs, "dust bunnies," pet hair on the furniture, etc. Surfaces should be dust-free!

Then, ask a friend or family member to walk through your house like a buyer. Get an honest opinion on whether or not it's inviting, clean, and well-maintained. Don't be offended by any criticisms!

If you'd like some professional help in either staging your home, getting it ready for resale, or getting things better organized in preparation for that eventual sale, give me a call, email me, or better yet, visit my website and see all the services I have to offer!

Until next time!

Lots of New Updates on My Website!

I've been pretty busy over the past week or so adding all kinds of new features, resources, and links to my website. It's been a real learning experience for me since I designed the website myself and I'm still learning how to insert html code, java script, resizing photos so they'll upload properly, amd just figuring out how to tweak layouts and content.

Anyway, I've added some great articles on organizing, decluttering, controlling paperwork & collections, learning to let go of "stuff," and there are also some great new before & after photos, too!

Here's the link to the Articles http://www.ceilpetrucelliinteriors.citymax.com/new_articles.html

Here's the link to the Before & After Photos
http://www.ceilpetrucelliinteriors.citymax.com/before_after.html

And I'm still running some Special Offers until May 31st! You can see those at
http://www.ceilpetrucelliinteriors.citymax.com/special_offers.html

There is still time to make a pledge to Help Save The Mount! Thankfully, the response has been tremendous and The Mount has opened for the season as of May 9th! Over $800,000 has been pledged so far and The Mount has been granted an extention until May 31, 2008! I've already made a pledge and I'm also pledging an additional $25.00 for each new client who signs up with me by May 31, 2008. You can have me make a donation in your honor -- just give me a call or email me - make an appointment for some "House Therapy" or get a room or two redecorated for Spring! Go to my Special Offers page for more information!

Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity is having their second annual auction on Saturday, July 19th at A Safe Place Self Storage in East Dorset, VT. Now's a great time to clear out some of the stuff you no longer need and perhaps donate it to a great cause! Go to their website for more information. They will also arrange a pick-up if you can't deliver it yourself to the auction site.

Vermont Reading Partners is having their annual fundraiser and auction at the Barrows House in Dorset, VT this Sunday, May 18th. I'll be donating a Gift Certificate for a 1 1/2 hr Interior Design Consultation, which also includes a written report. Included will also be a custom home decor item. You can get more information by emailing June Gutbier at vrp2323@sover.net or call 802-362-2323. This is a great organization which accomplishes some wonderful things for kids and adults alike!

I've been adding many new links & resources to my website over the past few weeks. When I got my website last year, it was primarily to have a "presence" on the internet for my business and to have an on-line portfolio of my work. Over time, I've been learning more about web design, internet marketing, selling services and products on line, and different ways to grow and develop my business, and also be able to help people, as well as give back. If you visit my website, you'll find several links to favorite non-profits, including local and national organizations. Visit my Special Offers page to see how you and I can make a difference together!!

Sometimes, you just don't want to hire a designer or decorator or someone to help you get organized, for a variety of reasons. Lots of people around here are avid "do-it-yourselfers" or think they just can't afford to hire a professional .... so, I've added several pages of Resources & Links to local area resources; Web Links to some of my favorite catalogs, magazines, and newsletters; and a brand new On Line Shopping Page filled with all kinds of links for home furnishings, accessories, gift items, home improvement, gardening & landscaping, tools for organizing, and a lot more.

You can always give me a call or email me if you want some help putting it all together once you've found a few things!

Until next time!