goals
In her living room, this client wanted:
– Less clutter
– Functional desk space
– Emphasis on nature, books, and art
This client identified her favorite belongings in the living room as her books, art, antique wooden desk and chair, big squashy couch, and comfortable wicker chair. These are the elements that I wanted to highlight.
Her favorite beautiful item is a scarf from Turkey that was a special gift. I used the scarf’s color scheme and patterns as a guide to the client’s preferred colors and patterns.
process
My time was 5.5 hours total.
For clients who want to keep costs down, I can provide DIY assignments for both before and after our work sessions.
In this case, the client culled out her book collection, moved furniture, spray-painted the wicker chair, took the wicker chair’s cushions to be reupholstered [not pictured], took down the old curtains and metal blinds, and was present for the Budget Blinds installer.
work session
During our 3-hour work session, the client and I:
– Moved all three bookcases to one wall to create an unbroken line visually and to emphasize the attractiveness of the book collection
– Removed two large blue and pink rugs to reveal the original 1908 wood floor underneath and to de-emphasize the purpleness of the couch
– Hauled one rug to the driveway, posted it as free on Craigslist, and it was picked up within the hour
– Floated the couch in front of the bookcases instead of the couch blocking the front door
– Scheduled a Budget Blinds representative to visit during our work session; client purchased top down / bottom up cellular shades for privacy and light, and for a cleaner look than the curtains and metal shade combination
– Deep cleaned: mopped the wood floor, scrubbed the baseboards, took down and washed the overhead light’s glass shade, swept cobwebs from the ceiling
– Relocated two chairs, four small tables, and the dvd player, which opened up the space considerably
shopping
On my own, I did an additional 2.5 hours of online sourcing and errands:
Online:
– Seagrass stacking lidded baskets to store papers and serve as a coffee table
– Fabric to reupholster wicker chair cushions [not pictured in photos]
– Cozy throw blanket in dark grey to quiet down the purpleness of the couch; client used one as a throw and the other to make big pillows
– Antique English flowered tin to hold bills and correspondence
– Vintage desk tray to hold pens and stamps
– Brass tray with great patina to put on top of a seagrass basket for drinks
– Substantial standing lamp with bleached burlap large drum shade to replace the current small lamp; this will provide more light in the room and will be in better proportion to the rest of the furniture (to keep within client’s budget, this will be a future purchase)
Visited hardware store for:
– Spray paint to repaint white wicker chair
– Extension cord in brown so it blends in with floor
– New light switch plates for a fresher look
Finally, I sourced a new seagrass rug at Bed Bath & Beyond and sent photos of it to the client. But fortuitously, before she bought it, another organizing client of mine was giving away a rug. I drove it over to this client’s house, we set it up together in the living room, and she loves it!