simply clean bee

Welcome Simplified Bee, I am so pleased she has joined me today sharing some wonderful solutions for bringing freshness or order to your home. It is not too late to Spring Clean, I know you will be inspired with these great tips!

Interview with "Simplified Bee"

1. Can you share a simple solution that has helped you to embrace Spring Cleaning?

Cleaning the windows, pulling out the patio furniture, and organizing wardrobe closets for warmer weather may be some of your Spring Cleaning projects. It’s easy to procrastinate on starting a large task especially when it's something we dread. Instead of having tasks that may take hours to complete, break it up into smaller tasks and create a check list to monitor your progress. Devote a set amount of time each week to focus on one task or room (i.e. closets, windows, kitchen pantry, etc.).To avoid getting overwhelmed you may consider limiting each task to no more than 30 minutes to complete. In addition, make it fun by turning on your favorite music or adding a stylish dose of color into your household cleaning supplies like the ones below from Alice Supply Co.

2. What would you suggest as a simple remedy for clutter?

Clutter is visually exhausting, so it is important that every item in your home have a place. This way you’ll be able to find it quickly when you need it and will avoid visual clutter.

Purging is really the most important step in organizing. Before you start to organize, identify what things are important to you and what's just taking up space. Here are a few questions to answer when determining whether or not to keep, recycle/trash or donate an item:

v Do you need it?

v Do you like it or does it have sentimental value?

v Will you use it or have you used it in the past 12 months?

v Do you have space for it?

You will be surprised to find out how many items you are holding onto that you don’t need, use and in many cases even l like.

3. I love some of the design tips you have on your site, do you have tips for setting up a home office for an artist?

Artists need office space that allows them to move, store supplies and be inspired. Lighting is critical and the more natural the better {love this open and airy home office above photographed by Rachel Smith}. When possible limit window treatments to simple shutters or blinds. If your office doesn’t get enough natural sunlight, invest in good recessed lighting or a stylish ceiling pendant. A task lamp may also need to be placed on a desk or project table to ensure adequate lighting.

Selecting the right furniture for your home office is also key. Pottery Barn has a great project table {above} that gives artist loads of work space and several storage options.

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4. When did you realize you wanted to be an "Organizer?" How has organizing changed your approach to life?

After the birth of my first child I decided to pursue my dreams and went back to school to study interior design. In the process of having kids, learning design principles and picking up loads of toys I quickly realized I wanted to blend the two disciplines, organization and interior design. As a result, I launched Simplified Bee to share my combined expertise of organizational and design with others. My goal is to help my clients create order and efficiency through functional designs that are style savvy, yet practical and earth-friendly whenever possible.

Thank-you Cristen for sharing these super tips and letting us get to know you and your simplified tips for clutter remedy and living an organized life.