ready for some spring cleaning?

What began as a necessary chore—since most homes were heated by the burning of coal which coated everything with soot—spring cleaning is a right of passage. That we survived another winter.

The goal is clean and minimal—even if you have hundreds of books and a large but curated and alphabetized collection of LPs.

Step one: sort. What can be donated or tossed?

Step two: once you know what’s staying and needs to be stored properly, research options.

Step three: color code. Red, hot. Carbon grey or white, definitely cooler and a lower priority.

hint: two words…multi, functional. Think outside the box and get creative with credenzas, boxes and bins. A high-dining table can be great as a work surface, a mini-bar can work great in an entryway, and a side table can definitely move into a bedroom as a nightstand.

in multiples: bookcases

Add impact and drama by rowing bookcases in multiples to enhance the architecture of any room—not to mention storage capacity.

hint: for best results when searching, enter singular words, ie. ‘bookcase’ instead of ‘bookcases”.

in multiples: pendants

If all the world’s a stage, we want better lighting! No matter the fixture, lighting always creates drama. Concert-goers remember a favorite song, maybe the playlist, but they always comment on the light show!

Lighting sets a mood and is the first extension of the architecture of a space into room settings—so choose accordingly. Direct or fluorescent lighting is best used in places like offices or schools where energy efficiency and high clarity are priorities. While warmer lighting—usually low wattage—is great in multiples to cast a flattering glow.

hint: research and imagine the possibilities!

in multiples: mirrors

Similar to assembly lines from the industrial revolution, repetition of the same object is synonymous with modern. Simple shapes create a geometry and attract the eye because of their linear flow.

To create drama, mirrors in multiples will give the biggest bang for the buck—not only do they enhance the energy in a room, they visually increase space and light.