I’m a sucker for the home transformation programmes. And I love the magazine features with the before and after images, the miracle duly complete with several throws, some snazzy pluffed up cushions and a few artfully arranged accessories. I’ve tried to style my home in a similar vein. Indeed, visiting the Blick residence on a day when I’ve been heavy handed with the home staging and a declutter might give the impression I have a talent for uncluttered and stylish spaces.
Until you open a wardrobe or cupboard door, that is. Now, I’m not pointing the finger at my husband. Peer inside his wardrobe and you’ll see the influence of Marie Kondo in every corner.
Organised chaos?
Not me, alas. My wardrobes were, until recently, a tribute to Dee’s system of home spun chaos. The simple task of locating a black polo neck jumper? Easier to learn Latin. The answer to the innocuous question, ‘Where have I put my hair straighteners?’ More chance of winning the trophy on Pointless. I must confess, before sharing my decluttering journey, that I love certain things which tend to snaffle up wardrobe space. I’m referring to handbags and trainers, of which I have many. Stuffing them in fold up boxes was not the answer; a point proven when one fell on top of me as I was trying to prise my faux leather candy pink tote from it.
This experience and a growing feeling of overwhelm propelled me towards professional organiser, Katie Wellman, of Make Room to Breathe. Her business name alone was good enough to persuade me she was the one. After a consultation in which I braved my soul and revealed my fit to bursting wardrobes, she declared I was far from a lost cause, and we embarked on the de cluttering process.
Waste not, want not
I’ve not worked with a professional organiser before, so I was unsure what to expect. But, at the appointed hour Katie turned, up all smiles, armed with several boxes labelled recycling and charity. She even had bags for textiles that could be repurposed and for fiddly bits of fabric that once had a role that was now lost on me. Not one bag was designated for waste. As I discovered from talking to her, waste is not a word that features in Katie’s vocabulary.
Had you asked me beforehand what to expect from our four hours together, I would have told you that I’d be taken to task for my excessive consumption of clothes, especially my habit of buying more than one of the same style in assorted colours. I was wrong. There was no taking to task, just a fun filled four hours.
Working on my wardrobes enabled me to flex the decision-making nous I’m renowned for in business. I was now applying this to my clothes and accessories. Months, no years, of prevaricating – do I really need three identical polo neck jumpers and, why am I hanging on to that sequin studded blouse that’s two sizes too big for me – evaporated into the bags that were filling fast.
A handbag?
I knew things were working well when of my own volition I happily donated three handbags, along with many items of new clothing; the bargains you buy on a whim, ignoring the fact you do look like a drained damsel in real distress. They were all summarily despatched into the charity bag, labels intact.
Four hours later and I was cooing quietly over my beautifully organised wardrobes and drawers. I now had a superb system in place for folding, hanging, and storing my clothes and accessories. I have space, and I too have room to breathe. Just when I did not think the experience could get any better, Katie whisked away every single bag and I was left with a bedroom fit for any fashionista of 62.
Buoyed by the results, I booked in a session for my kitchen. Was it as transformative? Watch this decluttered space.
Contributed by one of our writers and columnist, Sussex based bestselling author, Dee Blick. Her latest book, The Boutique is available on Amazon but you can also buy it by contacting Dee at dee@themarketinggym.org
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