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Bathroom Reno

Bathroom Renovation

· Makeovers · , , , , , ,

My own bathroom renovation was one of my most satisfying projects. Working directly with a fantastic contractor, eliminating the decorator, and trusting my experience were all key to getting the project done efficiently.⁠

The project was delayed multiple times: the Covid pandemic caused us to postpone the renovation from our initial March of 2020 start date to September of 2021.  Then our architect/designer delayed the project until January of 2022, then to July of 2022, and then August of 2022 when we parted ways. Although this caused a considerable amount of stress and frustration, the end result was well worth the aggravation.

Bathroom Renovation

In October of 2022, we finally started the project. In addition to updating the decor, we also changed the bathroom layout. By swamping the location of the toilet and shower, we created a “wet area” for the shower and tub separated from the rest of the bathroom with a glass partition. We then created a toilet closet where the shower had been.

The bathroom features the following:

Oversized white wall tiles (39” wide by 13” high) and floor tiles (24” square) both from Porcelanosa cover the entire bathroom, floor to ceiling, including the toilet closet.

Gold schluters (typically used as a trim) are used as a design element, creating a stripe around the bathroom.

Gold pentagon mosaic tile from Cancos is used in bath and shower insets to create visual interest.

A deep blue custom vanity in lacquer with six large drawers (three on each side) and a hamper provides ample storage and a contrast to the white walls and floors. Gold hardware and trim complement the gold accents elsewhere in the bathroom.

Six inch deep Robern medicine cabinets with internal outlets were selected, so my husband’s electric razors and our electric toothbrushes are no longer stored on the counter.

From an organizational perspective, I included the following:

A Space of Her Own

· Makeovers · , , , , , , , , ,

On a sticky Manhattan summer day, I arrived at Wendy Reimer’s home to organize the overcrowded bedroom of her three young girls. The oldest, a pre-teen, was desperate for her own space, and Wendy hoped I could carve out a niche for her in the large bedroom the girls shared.

As a professional, I rarely feel overwhelmed by a room. Yet, here, I had met my match. Three beds lined the perimeter of the room, and there was almost no clear path to walk. Stuffed animals covered every surface, and toys, games, and books were strewn about the room. Drawers were so stuffed with clothing that many could barely be opened. In an adjacent playroom, clutter filled every visible space with an outdoor playhouse taking center stage.

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Three's a Crowd: A Single Mom, Her Triplets, and a One Bedroom Apartment

Three’s a Crowd: A Single Mom, Her Triplets, and a One Bedroom Apartment

· Family, Makeovers · , , , , , , , , , , , ,

About a year ago, a friend asked if I would consider doing a project pro bono; Lisa Meshulam, a single mother of triplets, desperately needed help with organization of her one bedroom apartment. I was intrigued.

When I saw the apartment, it was piled floor to ceiling with storage boxes on wire racks. Cube furniture was filled with bins, books, and papers. Children’s drawings and photos were taped to the walls, and the kitchen counters overflowed with food that didn’t fit in the pantry. Lisa slept in a bed in the corner of the living room, sacrificing her privacy so the boys could share the single bedroom. While the boys’ room was cleverly outfitted with two bunk beds, it was overrun with clutter. Clothing spilled out of empty cubes and onto the floor.

I immediately agreed to help and started by enlisting ClosetMaid as a sponsor. Then, I assembled my team of organizers, and began operation organize.

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Moving Tips

· Moving · , , , ,

After BarbaraMore moves take place in the summer than any other time during the year. In addition to my tips in this month’s issue of Real Simple “How to Move Without Losing It” and on the MakeSpace blog “8 Expert Solutions to Your Toughest Moving Problems,” here are some additional moving tips I’ve provided to clients this month.

Moving With Children

  1. Purge all of the toys they no longer use, anything broken, or missing pieces, AND all clothing that no longer fits or is stain, torn, or beyond repair.  It’s expensive and time consuming to move what is no longer needed or wanted.
  2. Prioritize their rooms first.  Moving can be stressful for children. By setting up their rooms first, the disruption in their lives is minimized.
  3. Create excitement. If you’re moving locally, show them their new room. If you’re not moving locally, share pictures of local attractions, the house, their new room, and school.
  4. Enlist babysitters to keep them occupied the day of the move or possibly for a few days, so you can get settled without them under foot.

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Memorial Day Makeover for Army Veteran

· Makeovers · , , , ,

Last month, I met Sergeant First Class Luciano Yulfo, a veteran who served our country for 36 years. In 2014, he retired from active duty after being injured in Afghanistan. “Louie” wears braces on his leg, walks with a cane, and will most likely face the amputation of his leg in the next year or so. Currently, he lives in Staten Island with his daughter Sonia, 27, who is his full time caregiver. Unfortunately, Sonia herself strugglesMemorial Day Project with health issues, and the burden of caring for her father can be overwhelming. Thanks to an organization called Luke’s Wings, I was made aware of the situation, and teamed up with ClosetMaid and Hooplah to help.

After visiting the Yulfo home, we decided that we would install ClosetMaid ShelfTrack closet systems in the master bedroom, Sonia’s room, and the front hall closet.

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“I Have Too Much Storage Space,” Said No One Ever

· Makeovers · , , , ,

“I Have Too Much Storage Space,” Said No One Ever… Especially a Fashionista Who Works at Prada

Working in the luxury goods retail market for over 20 years, Bonnie Williams had amassed an impressive collection of designer clothing, bags, and shoes. Yet, her beautiful and expensive items were crammed into closets, overstuffed drawers, and piled from floor to ceiling in her studio apartment. When her closet rod broke under the weight of her hanging clothes, Bonnie knew it was time to move to a bigger space.

When contemplating the move, Bonnie realized that without professional help, her situation would remain largely the same; everything stored haphazardly, only in a larger apartment. That’s when she called me to help with a complete apartment makeover, and I sought out ClosetMaid, a great source of affordable DIY closets as well as a line of storage furniture and closet accessories.

Bonnie and I began by purging; we pulled everything out of the closets and drawers, eliminating duplicate kitchen accessories, unwanted books and cookbooks, clothing and shoes she hadn’t seen or worn in years, financial documents that were no longer relevant, and makeup and toiletries well past their expiration dates. Once we had thrown away, given away, or consigned all that we could, Bonnie was ready to move, and we began designing organizational solutions. With assistance, Bonnie and I assembled the DIY ClosetMaid systems.

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The Kitchen from Oz

· Kitchen / Nutrition / Wellness, Makeovers · , , , ,

Upper West Side Kitchen

Walking into Holly Merrin’s kitchen is a little like Dorothy seeing Oz for the first time. From the emerald green terrazzo floors to the bold green leather chairs and fabulous views of the Hudson River, this kitchen is long on the wow factor.

The mom of the moment is long on the wow factor too. Petite and pretty, Holly enjoys preparing meals and snacks for her family. A 2015 graduate of The Natural Gourmet Institute, it’s more than a hobby, but not yet a career. Holly contacted Curated Kitchen to tackle both the physical organization of the kitchen and her need to address a wide range of food preferences in the most nutritious manner.

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A Perfect Day to Purge Your Pantry

· Kitchen / Nutrition / Wellness · , , , ,

Lara Metz and Barbara Reich - Organized Healthy KitchenRegistered Dietitian Lara Metz and Professional Organizer Barbara Reich are joining forces in their newest venture, Curated Kitchen. Their combined expertise gets to the core of how a curated kitchen will enable you to live a happier, more balanced life. Together, they will edit your kitchen, eliminate unhealthy food, unnecessary kitchen clutter and leave you with a newly stocked, better organized space to gather with family and friends. Not only will you receive recipes, nutrition, and organizing tips, but your whole family will enjoy a kitchen makeover that pleases every palate.

Is your pantry a disaster of stale cereal and junk food? Do you have multiple bags of half eaten chips left over from the super bowl party you hosted in January? Is there food that has been there for weeks, if not years?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone. And, the prediction of 12-24 inches of snow makes today the perfect day to purge and create a pantry that’s well stocked, organized, and filled with nutritious food.

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Organizing Children’s Artwork

· Family · , , , ,

Childrens ArtworkA few years ago, my mother decided it was time for me to take possession of my childhood memorabilia. For several weeks, she sent boxes of childhood art, trophies, and yearbooks. While I did save a few college papers I had written, yearbooks, and awards, all of my preschool and grade school artwork went right into the trash. After being saved for 30-40 years, and being moved into 4 different homes, the vast majority of it meant nothing to me. This is what I try to impart to my clients who want to save everything their children create… most of it is not worth saving.

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Closet Makeover for Hollywood Life Fashion Director

· Makeovers · , , , ,

HollywoodLife Closet

I first met Katrina Mitzeliotis, a chic and adorable fashion director with Hollywood Life, over breakfast in midtown, Manhattan. Newly married and highly motivated to get organized, Katrina admitted that her clothes were currently in piles on the floor of a spare bedroom in her home in Brooklyn. And, when she said “piles,’ she was using the term loosely.

Piles

Many people would shy away from sharing a “dirty little secret” like a room with clothes and shoes strewn about, but Katrina wanted Hollywood Life readers to know that there’s no shame in learning to be organized. While Hollywood Life often features celebrities and their fabulous clothing and closets, Katrina is relatable and typical in many ways. She has more clothes than she needs, she has no idea how to organize them, and she lacks the closet infrastructure that would make organization attainable. A closet makeover was just what she needed, so I teamed up with ClosetMaid to give Katrina the closet of her dreams. Continue reading “Closet Makeover for Hollywood Life Fashion Director” »