Tuesday, April 27, 2010

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.

28 comments:

Joyce said...

Thank you for a topic right up my mop. I love to clean and the messier the better. I know a little silly, but I love the challenge and the reward afterwards- everything is so sparkling clean. This is one of the resons how I got my current pt job. Thanks again for a wonderful interview! xo

LindsB said...

I so wish I had thought of the company Alice- such a great idea!!

Love this list- I need to get my butt in gear and start cleaning now :)

Anonymous said...

Fabulous tips! I love the one about lots of light in the office. Totally agree but it's too easy to go crazy with curtains as well. So many lovely patterns out there!

Karena said...

Patricia, great interview with Cristin!! Great tips as well.

Averill said...

Cristin has some amazing tips and tricks -- and great style to boot! Absolutely love the Alice Supply Co. gear...they make a dust pan look cool!

Mary Lou said...

Do I really have to spring clean? I've moved 30 times so I usually move when the oven gets dirty..
Does retirement mean cleaning? Or just that you can't get out of your responsibilities?? Darn.

Sanity Fair said...

Great tips - I've been in the middle of doing this in my house! So painful - but so rewarding :)
I'm heading over to Simplified Bee to check it out!
-SF

Purple Flowers said...

I love the results of clean. And I am a great one for cleaning out.

24 Corners said...

So looking forward to setting up my new office/art space. This put a "bee" in my bonnet to start planning it out!

Thank you,
J~

Splendid Willow said...

Thank you both - lovely ladies! You are both very creative. I can't draw to save my life. And I am not very good at Spring cleaning either. (I am pretty much useless...)

But I am a good listener! Maybe that will take me somewhere!

Hugs to you both,

Mon
http://www.splendidwillow.com

vicki archer said...

I need to re-read this many times and get started! xv

pve design said...

Joyce,
You never cease to amaze me. I can just see you being one have simplified bee, restoring order and grace, fluttering about, leaving sweetness behind. No wonder that you got your job, you are just a "sparkler!"
pve

LEB-
You always have such an array of clean images and wonderful things, but I guess we can all use a little inspiration and heed some good advice.
pve

Emily-
Happy simplifying to you, my home is not a curtains type home, but I do love a little pattern, wallpaper?
So I can relate to the crazy-
pve

Karena,
Thanks, glad you like the tips dear!
pve

Debra said...

Just in time! We did all of the windows this past weekend. Since finishing my latest illustration-have launched head-first into spring cleaning. I love doing it!
I enjoy the editting process from one season to the next. Up early for a fresh start. The only curtains in this home...the bathrooms! Some fabulous tips here PvE!

Unknown said...

Great post, music always helps to keep us moving. Bg

pve design said...

Deb,
You do windows....hmmm.
pve

Barbara,
yep, "Music" motivates me too.
pve

Kwana said...

Wonderful tips and I love the pictures you have up here. That first space is to die for.

Belle on Heels said...

great post and thank you for sharing! i am always looking for ways to de-clutter!

red ticking said...

fabulous post... needed this today... whew! xx

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

pve,
It was so fun working with you on this post. You are a doll and a very talented one too.

Hope it helps inspire some spring cleaning or organization projects.

xo,
cristin

rosiecampbell said...

Great ideas! Perfect post for spring. Every year I vow to get more organized. Maybe now I will. (: Many thanks!

Unknown said...

There is something SO calming about having a clean and organized space. I find that I can't really move forward sometimes until thins are in their places. Love the tips!

The Buzz Blog said...

What a perfect post for this season! I've added another dozen things to my "to do" list based on Cristin's ideas.

carlee {deliciously organized} said...

Such an inspiring post! I love all her tips, and her blog! Wonderful interview.

JMW said...

What a great feature! I love her advice on removing clutter. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all of the "stuff" in my house. I recently did a spring purge and I felt great! We took a big carload to Good Will - such a relief. In fact, I could probably do more purging, between old clothes, furniture, lamps, etc.

Susan Dench said...

Patricia, thanks for this post, I am feeling inspired! And I couldn't agree more with the comments about throwing things out - when we moved last year, we had two+ dumpsters (from two houses) full of "stuff"! It was so liberating to toss it all. Of course, the challenge is not letting it build up again!

Unknown said...

Wonderful interview. I have been thinking since last summer about this subject, to reduce and to organize to make the household easier to manage. Spring cleaning twice a year...It is refreshing and rewarding.
She has great tips!
Lately it feels more appealing to have less them more!
And to keep it organized!
Thank you Cristin and Patricia!

XX
Victoria

Unknown said...

Couldn't agree more about clutter being visually exhausting...it takes a toll on me for sure! Need to work on my procrastinating self and get motivated! This helped...so thanks!

Living It At Home said...

Great post and very helpful! Love Simplified Bee!