Tackle That Task!

Taking a Break

2010-06-08T12:32:00.002-04:00

Due to lots of personal goodies happening all at once (have been since J for Junk) I am taking a Blog Break.

I hope to be able to write again soon.

J is for Junk

2010-01-26T16:10:00.007-05:00

I will go ahead and freely admit that I am horrible about keeping my Blog current. So, a new year brings new things. To keep myself on track, I thought it might be easier to stay on task by choosing a topic that coordinates with the beginning letter of each month. That way, I don't have to think too hard about what to write.

Given that introduction, I'll dive right in. This is January, which makes me think of the letter J; which makes me think of JUNK. Anything that doesn't have use and is piled up somewhere is junk. In case I haven't made it clear, junk is bad. It takes up needed space, makes things appear dirtier, and hinders cleanliness. The best way to rid yourself of junk is to throw it away or donate it IF it is at all usable.

Here's how you rid yourself of junk once and for all. If it is piled up somewhere, take about 30 minutes at a time to work through the pile. If it is something that you can't use or haven't used in 6 months get rid of it. This might be the lamp with the broken cord, or the books you plan to sell on eBay. Junk comes in many shapes and forms. Just know that if you don't take action, the junk won't go away. It's January, so this is a really good time to commit to starting on your junk piles. Keep the junk out of your life by making a plan to keep only things that you treasure or have a true purpose.

To Chair or Not to Chair?

2009-11-13T11:55:00.002-05:00

Thanks to all who voted on the chair project that I posted in August. Whew, I am truly behind. Now, I think I have had a change of heart. I might actually keep the chairs for myself. Ohhhh, I know that is terrible. Nevertheless, I am still debating, and will delay starting the project until the New Year. In the meantime, I will be busy doing some painting projects around the house; Will keep the site posted on my progress.

Which Would You Choose?

2009-08-27T21:21:00.007-04:00

A few weeks ago I was browsing at a local second hand store. I discovered two side chairs that caught my eye. I walked away, because even though the prices were great, I don't need any more furniture in my house right now. So, after walking away, I couldn't stop thinking about the chairs. The next day, I went back to the store. Since both were still there, I took it as a sign that it was meant for me to buy them. My plan is to refinish, recover and sell them.

Fast forward to last week. I mentioned the chairs to a friend of mine, asking her to choose between two different fabrics that I had selected. I've been asking everyone because it is such a tough choice. My friend suggested that I get input from others, so I have added a poll to capture some input.

Please take a minute and let me know what you think would be most appealing to a general audience of buyers?

I'll be cataloging my progress on the chairs, so don't forget to check back to see how the project is progressing.

No More Decorating Delays

2009-07-16T14:18:00.007-04:00

I had my first online article published this week. If you want to get started on a decorating project, but haven't been able to quite get going, you'll want to read this for sure. http://www.designstyleguide.net/articles-TooBusyToDecorate.php

In addition, check out the Design Style Guide website for summaries on different design styles. I love how the photos solidify every element of the design. It's like putting a face with a name. http://www.designstyleguide.net/Other-Decorating-Style.php

Here's to Making Things Special

2009-07-07T19:31:00.002-04:00

I had the pleasure of having my mother-in-law over for dinner recently. It was just a casual dinner, and I made sure to prepare foods that I knew she would like. At the last minute, I realized that I hadn't added that special something to the meal. It was a beautiful day, so I decided we would eat outside. At the last minute, I had my husband put out the Tiki torches, and spray the yard with insect repellent. When he finished, I started to set the table for us to eat outside (real plates, and napkins--no paper of course). I said "Mom, do you mind if we eat outside." Her reply was "You always make things so special." It made me feel good. Partly because my mother-in-law is a great lady and deserves a gesture of appreciation. But also, because she noticed that I am always trying to go the extra mile. When I have guests, I always try to bring in some flowers or add a little something else to make them feel special. It doesn't take much, and if you're short on ideas, read my post titled "Taking an Event from Good to Great," it will surely help some good ideas come to mind.

Tackle That Task! Now Staging

2009-06-23T16:30:00.005-04:00

I cannot believe that it has been January since I updated my Blog. Where does the time go? Most of it has been spent trying to expand Tackle That Task! and attract clients; lots of networking and business preparation. In May, I took a big step and received my certification in Home Staging. Home Staging is the art of preparing a home for sale. All elements of the home are considered; curb appeal, furniture placement, color and focal points. Now in addition to things that I can do to organize or redesign a home for daily living, I can also help prepare it to sell. Staging is a little challenging in this market, but I am convinced that staging is essential to making sure that a home shows at its best. If you know someone selling their home, please let me know. I am sure I can provide some tips to help them maximize their selling potential. See more about my staging services at www.tacklethattask.com.

The Old Becomes New

2009-01-20T00:25:00.000-05:00

There is a piece of furniture in your house that you may not like. You have some options...1)Sit it on the curb and hope they haul it off with the garbage 2)Take a photo and cross your fingers that someone from Craig's List will buy it or 3) Give it a makeover.

I love the idea of giving something old a new look. It really isn't that difficult, and can usually be done with a few simple instructions and a few hours of work. Okay, don't be afraid. I am NOT about to send you off to Home Depot with a laundry list of items to buy. This is just a "you can do it" talk. The easiest project for you to tackle right off might be painting. Maybe you have a simple side chair, but the color is off. Simple sanding along with 2 coats of gel stain (this is a magical product that gives the finish of wood staining. I love it, love it, love it!), and you have a new piece of furniture.

So, the next time you have a piece of furniture or an accessory that doesn't match, consider giving it a facelift. There is no shortage of instructions on the Internet, and you can usually find easy how-to projects through a quick search.

Set the Stage

2008-10-01T14:43:00.018-04:00

Answer this question--Your house must be picture perfect in 7 days. What do you do? Yes, I've asked you to stretch your imagination with little information, so I'll provide a few more details. Let's say you're having a party, having your boss over, hosting family for the holiday or selling your house. Whatever the occasion, you need it to shine. If you find yourself in this situation, don't think perfection, think "set the stage". Staging has become a very popular concept. So popular, there is an entire HGTV show dedicated to home staging. Staging is a process in which things are set up to look attractive on the surface. Think about just enough to get by. Think a little bit of a wow factor, clean spaces, and simplified areas.

If you find yourself in a crunch to get your place looking sharp in a small amount of time, try out these simple staging ideas:
1) Clear the clutter...If you have any piles or stacks of something, they need to disappear immediately! In addition, things that aren't needed should be put away as well. 2) Check your flow...How does the room flow? Do you have to step over something or someone to get to a certain spot? Is there a big chair or sofa blocking a great view or great fireplace? If so, move the furniture to show off the best features of the room. 3) Let there be light...A lamp in the right place can make all the difference in setting the tone of the room. Stark, overhead lighting is always my last choice. If you have dimmer switches be sure to use them. And don't forget the natural light from outside; furniture should not be placed in a way that it blocks your windows and natural light. 4) Have something brewin'...No, I don't mean coffee. Whether you are a coffee drinker or not, it is difficult to ignore the smell of fresh brewed coffee. Have a fragrance present that cannot be ignored. The scent should be light, but noticeable. There are many commercial products that can help achieve this. 5) Freshen things a bit...The freshening can come via fresh flowers or plants. When possible, choose something that compliments your decor or theme of the event. If cost is an issue, you can always buy bouquets of greenery, and add a few fresh flowers as an accent. See the photo at the top for a sample "freshening".

So, I've just scratched the surface on staging. Hopefully, this is just enough to get you by in a crunch. If you're selling your home there is so much more you'll need to do, and I'd like to point you in the right direction. Please check back early spring for my stage-to sell tips.

Just Hanging Around

2008-06-03T16:09:00.005-04:00

No, I'm not talking about the response you give to friends on a lazy summer day. I'm talking about hanging pictures and other artwork. After hanging a few pictures in our new house the other day, it dawned on me why people hang pictures sky high in the air on a wall--because they don't realize there is another way. I may get some contradictions on this, but I just gotta give this bit of advice about hanging pictures.

I know many people don't give this a lot of thought; you grab the hammer and some nails, and place a framed piece of art dead center on the wall. I can't tell you the countless times I've seen this, and I think "Hmmm, what's up with that picture?" There is a better way to make wall art "belong" to the space and add more interest to the object. Here's what you do...

Think "grouping"; instead of aiming for the center of the wall, plan to put the item close to something near it. This could be furniture, a tall plant, lamp, or another piece of art. Allow ample spacing from the object, but not too much. The standard recommendation for example for hanging a picture above a sofa is 9 inches from the top of the sofa. Yes, I know this seems close. But remember, you're trying to create a grouping and visual interest between the objects. Once you've identified the right spacing, place a small pencil mark on the area. Now, it's safe to grab your hammer and nails (or anchors and screws if it's heavy, but that's another post altogether)and glam up your space with an appropriately placed piece of art.

Now that wasn't too bad, was it?

Taking an Event from Good to Great

2008-05-19T14:19:00.004-04:00

We had our company picnic that I planned this past Saturday. I really had a good time, and received lots of compliments on the event. Event planning is a lot of hard work, but I always feel good walking away; feeling that I have done something positive to brighten a person's day. This thought made me think about "thrown together" events (which I think are so unfair to the guest) and prompted me to take a stab at a few tips to pass on. Here they are:

1. Plan your event to cater to the crowd.
2. Confirm and confirm again food deliveries, pick-ups and other time-sensitive activities.
3. Coordinate around a theme or decoration.
4. Add music that fits the occasion.
5. Have at least one element of surprise; a food, display, or activity that no one expected!

Hope these make sense. There are a lot of other things to consider, but I think these are the beginning elements to help take an event from good to great.

My First Contest

2008-03-17T15:17:00.003-04:00

This week, I am working at my friend Jacquelyn's house for a re-do of her teenager daughter's bedroom. From that project, I am entering a budget makeover magazine contest. I am quite excited about this, and I will post the before and after pictures as soon as I get them.

Why Blog?

2008-03-13T15:52:00.003-04:00

Whew, this is gonna take some getting used to. For those who know me, You also know I am not a techie. For me, emails, cell phones, and web surfing take a back burner to a good book; or a good project that needs organizing. I never thought I would do a Blog. But when a friend mentioned it as a way to showcase my organizing projects, I couldn't resist the idea.

I will admit, it has been rather fun setting this up as my creative side loves new projects. I am anxious to get some pics on, but that will have to wait until later. Baby steps, ya know