I have a Say No To Empty Walls style. This style has been with a part of my entire life. From the posters and bulletin boards I hung on my childhood bedroom walls. Its no surprise I host the Instagram hashtag #saynotoemptywalls

My Guide:

I like a mix of frames finishes. I ground with black but, like to bounce the eye around with the placement of gold, brown and sometimes white frames.

Remember when planning out a grouping of art or any grouping be it hung or on a tabletop the human eye gravitates toward odd numbers.

My mechanism for hanging art on my plaster walls are nails or a screw if the piece is very heavy. I have only had success with Velcro strips once in our kitchen because the walls are Sheetrock. Prior to banging a nail I measure, make a mark and use a small piece of tape over the mark.

Single:

When the scale makes sense I do like to showcase a single piece. The middle of a single piece should be at approximately 60inches from the floor.

Leaning:

I take every opportunity for display. I take advantage of the windowsills on the sunporch to display quite a few. I make sure the backs are protected against sun exposure and always odd numbers to keep it pleasing to the eye.

Salon:

Art hung from floor to ceiling is found in the primary bedroom hall.

• Hang the largest piece in the center.

• Keep the center tight by working up and down and then outward.

• Try and keep a uniformed distance between frames

 Theme:

We have a Portrait Gallery on the stair wall filled with a mix of family and art. Gather pieces that speak to whatever theme you wish.

• Map out placement.

• Hang the largest piece in the center and add pieces underneath working from the center outward.

Corner:

With the cabinets orientation this wrap-around grouping is perfect.

• Map out placement.

• Start from the inside of the larger wall placing pieces vertically moving left by columns.

• Add art to the smallest wall.

• Remember to use an odd # to keep the grouping pleasing to the eye.

The measurement between frames should be no more than 2 to 2-1/2 inches in any direction. Groupings look better with a uniformed distance between the frames.

I find using metal containers enables a longer life from my blooms but, I do use ceramic vessels as well. I never use floral fresh - instead I include pennies in the water. I use warm to hot water for most types of flowers.

I clean the stems under running water to clean off any debris. I cut off any extra buds or nodes before giving the stems a very severe angle cut and placing in my container - never allowing any leaves under the water line.

I always re-cut flowers and change the water fully every other day. As the days turn into weeks I cut off any leaves to prolong life.

As I type this I have 3 week old hydrangeas in a pitcher next to me.

I have never employed a cleaning company and enjoy the process of cleaning the Chalet. The biggest tip I can offer is to do one task at a time. Meaning - do all your dusting first and then all your vacuuming.

CLEAN BY ACTIVITY

I DUST going space by space and then VACUUM in the same order.

The idea of doing an entire room soup to nuts is what overwhelms people and can make cleaning feel insurmountable. My home is approx 1400 square feet with one bathroom and it takes me 3 hrs. (with help I’ve done it in 2hrs) I’m also stopping to gather, fold and put away laundry while cleaning.

Here’s my schedule: I start every week (usually Thursday) by changing the bed linens and starting the first load of laundry of the day. Then I dust my sons room, bath, upstairs hall, the primary bedroom and my husbands study. I repeat this process with vacuuming and using the attachment wand to clean the baseboards, underneath furnishings, bare floors and the exhaust fan in the bath. We are lucky we don’t encounter many spiders here in the Chalet; but, monthly I take the wand attachment and address the corners of ceilings and any other dark spots they might be tempted to set up house. Then I move downstairs and Dust all and then Vacuum. I move the chairs in the livingroom and the coffeetable to fully vacuum underneath once a month - weekly I use the wand attachment under them. I clean the bath last.

The products in my arsenal.

• I use Barkeepers Friend for the hard stains that build-up in the kitchen sink.

• I use Seventh Generation to spruce up the bath between weekly cleanings.

• I clean the bathroom with Vinegar and Baking Soda. We use Vinegar to clean the kitchen; Weinman for the appliances in addition to Isopropyl and Method to clean and maintain the granite counters.

• I use a Hoover Tempo vacuum with a bag. I have had bag-less vacuums in the past and am not a fan.

• I use a small amount of Pledge on a rag for some specific items - the mantel, coffeetable, console tables, our dressers - a little goes a long way.

• I am a huge fan of Swiffers - I am a collector as you know and if I choose a week not to remove everything from - let’s say the mantel a Swiffer is just the thing to grab the dust around objects.

In general the Chalet is neat and tidy and a large part of that ties into our attitude toward organization - the old adage everything in it’s place and a place for everything is how we live. Our home is too small not too.

If you follow along on my social media channels than you know we recently welcomed a new rescue cat into the Chalet. I am sweeping cat hair from the steps and in-front of the fireplace on a daily basis as well as wiping off surfaces. Tuukka like Fred before him is worth the effort.

We are shoe-free and this includes guests. So much dirt is on shoes. All our shoes are stored in our basement. We walk in the door, remove them and take them downstairs. If its warm weather then our flip flops just live outside by the side door.

I believe in making the bed the moment you wake. It’s the largest piece of furniture in the room so if the bed is made than the room always looks neat.

SPRING CLEANING CHECK LIST

• Rooms: Dust rag, swiffer, cleaning polish, vinegar, vacuum.

• Kitchen: vinegar, baking soda, bar keepers friend, stainless steel polish, granite polish and rubbing alcohol.

• Bath: vinegar, baking soda, bar keepers friend, seventh generation spray.

Air-pods or speaker with music, podcast or audio book to Enjoy! Open windows.

Rooms

• Clean shelves by removing all items/books dusting each and shelf.

• Clean framed artwork/photos - removing from wall if possible. Spray solution on cleaning cloth not directly onto glass.

• Dust air vents.

• Remove draperies/curtains. Shake out/air outside or clean professionally.

• Clean window sills and baseboards.

• Wash windows.

• Dust ceiling light fixtures, lamps and lampshades. Carefully vacuum lampshades with hand-held attachment. A lint brush can also be used. Remove from lamp for cleaning.

• Move furniture to vacuum carpets. Use attachments to vacuum under beds. Shake out Area Rugs - preferably outside.

• Clean floors with vacuum hand-held attachment. For tile I recommend vinegar. for hardwood floors I use liquid sparingly. Since we are shoe free our floors are not that dirty, so I use a damp with water towel on my hands and knees.

• Organize your pantry reevaluate food items.

• Air out pillows.

• Swap-out heavy winter bedding. Wash or clean professionally and store. Remove mattress pad and launder, flip mattress if applicable.

  Kitchen

• Clean the kitchen from the top starting with light fixtures.

• Clean cabinets tops or open ledge areas.

• Dust air vents.

• Remove draperies/curtains. Shake out/air outside or clean professionally.

• Clean window sills and baseboards.

• Wash windows.

• Wipe down cabinets.

• Wash small counter or stove items: Fruit Bowls, Teapots.

• Polish appliances, faucet and sink.

• Clean floors with vacuum hand-held attachment. For tile I recommend vinegar. for hardwood floors I use liquid sparingly. Since we are shoe free our floors are not that dirty, so I use a damp with water towel on my hands and knees- of course if this is your kitchen floor you may have spills you need to address. i caution the use of spray-jet cleaners or steamers. You can harm them with too much liquid.

• Remove everything from the refrigerator and clean interior.

• Organize pantry reevaluate food items.

• Clean under the kitchen sink.

• Clean and sanitize garbage and recycling receptacles.

  Bath

• Clean the Bath from the top starting with light fixtures.

• Dust air vents.

• Remove draperies/curtains. Shake out/air outside or clean professionally.

• Clean window sills and baseboards.

• Wash windows.

• Wipe down the shower walls.

• Wash shower curtain. Wipe curtain rod. replace shower liner if needed.

• Wipe down cabinet.

• Polish faucet and sink.

• Clean floors with vacuum hand-held attachment. For tile I recommend vinegar.

• Clean and sanitize garbage can.

• Clean toothbrush holder.

• Wipe down soap dispenser

• Wipe down towel bars.

  Post cleaning

• Organize linen closet reevaluate items - especially towels.

• Remove clutter to a central location. Create a donate pile. Get family involved - spring cleaning/decluttering is not a solo endeavor. Put items on Facebook - a few options: local Curb Alert/Buy Nothing Page, Freecycle or local Selling page. Take to Consignment, Goodwill or Swap.

• Clean your vacuum and filter. Change bag if there is one.

• Replace batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Replace fire extinguishers if needed.

• Update first aid kits.

  Seasonal Clothing

• If you swap out clothing seasonally tackle this next. Pull winter wardrobe from closets/cupboards/dressers. Review what should be washed or professionally cleaned before it is stored. Moths attack dirty items. Also review all clothing and donate what you will not use. If you never wore last winter chances are you will not next year and its usefulness is over.

• As you place your lighter wardrobe in its home for the season take the time to straighten and organize. Use the upright folding methods (makes it a breeze to find a particular shirt) same style of hangers, add bins in closets for ease of locating items such as: bathing suits, cover-ups, pj’s, small purses/wallets. In my sons closet we utilize bins and also large tote bags for bathing suits.

I was thrilled when Earth Breeze reached out asking if they could send me Laundry Detergent Eco Sheets to try. The sheets work well and are packed in paper sleeves and ship in an envelope! They come in scented and unscented.

We have a front loading washer so I use very little detergent. I spot clean with Dawn dish soap. I have found Dawn with a bit of white vinegar and a scrub brush has eliminated some underarm stains from cotton t shirts. I separate clothing by colors. Whites, Mediums (light greys and tans) and Darks. I wash most pieces inside out helping to preserve the color especially in the dryer. We have a gas fired dryer and it’s heat is not quite as intense as that of electric dryers. We use a drying rack and air dry many items including most of our sons Hockey uniform items.

As I mentioned in the Spring Cleaning Checklist under Seasonal Clothing - we utilize the Marie Kondo method for folding t-shirts and this makes it a breeze for my son to see exactly what he wants to wear.

I think organization reaches into all aspects of our lives. It’s not just a cabinet or closet. It’s our cars, it’s folding the laundry when it comes out of the dryer and putting it away immediately. As an avid reader I move books out of the Chalet as quickly as possible passing them onto family/friends or placing in one of the Little Libraries in our neighborhood.

Here’s a note I keep on my phone under the heading Marketing - I also have separate notes with recipes so they’re handy when I’m marketing. I need to be organized with my time and I make no secret of the fact that if it’s not written down it doesn’t happen. I have been known to accomplish a day of errands with stops at various locations only to get home and realize I forgot something because it wasn’t written down.

A big focus is staying on-top of areas where piles tend to grow and recognizing them in our own homes. For us our pantry/mudroom area tends to get messy, as does my desk. I’m constantly shuffling papers and projects. I try and keep the most current on my desk while the rest are tucked in a basket underneath.

The biggest obstacles to an organized home: attention to detail and time.

I hope you’ve found some helpful tips you can apply to your life!