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styling your guest bedroom

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With the hustle and bustle of the holiday drawing near, some of the most important and special moments are spending that time with friends and family. HYD is here to help you pull together your guest bedroom so your guests are sure to feel right at home.

GUESTBEDROOMCARE

Some great simple items to add include:

1. Throw: It doesn't matter if it's folded up nicely or draped over the bed, an extra throw is sure to keep them cozy & warm.
2. Good Book: Something that showcases your personality and makes your guest feel extra welcomed.
3. Table Lamp: Table lamps not only make a statement in a guest bedroom, but also provide your guest with enough or as little light as they may need.
4. Coasters: Not only can coasters double as a pretty accent for your bedside tables, they will also protect them.
5. Candle: Keep the room smelling great with you favorite scent!
6. Tooth Brush: Just in case they forget theirs!
7. Hand Cream: It is winter after all.
8. Wifi Sign: For ease of access & right at their fingertips for any device they may have with them.
9. Notepad: It's always handy to have a notepad to jot down notes. Don't forget the pen!
10. Fresh Flowers: Succulents are great options, as they require minimal care, but you can never go wrong with fresh flowers. You may also be able to walk into your backyard and pull together an arrangement. 

Whether your guest bedroom is fully decked out, or as minimal as they come, welcoming your guest with open arms never goes out of style. 

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Shopping with conscience this Holiday Season

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Are you having trouble this holiday season finding the right gift for a loved one? It can be hard to find well made and meaningful gifts while on a budget but we have compiled a few ideas and along with a list of some of our new favorite shops to help you with those last minute gifts on your list.

Over at HYD we are trying to adopt a few new shopping practices...

1. We are learning to buy less but to buy better.

2. We are working on curbing our impulsive purchases and implementing the discipline of saving up for items that will last longer, are better quality, are made ethically, and are ultimately more meaningful.

With those things in mind, here are a few shops we have stumbled across recently that fit our broader vision. Keep reading to see our top picks from each shop.

1. Spartan Shop 

Japanese Cloth Napkins

Japanese Cloth Napkins

Wooden Walking Elephant Toy

Wooden Walking Elephant Toy

Black amber and turquoise pocket knife

Black amber and turquoise pocket knife

hand crafted Mexican glassware

hand crafted Mexican glassware

Apron

Apron

Ceramic Pitcher

Ceramic Pitcher

Brass and leather key chain

Brass and leather key chain

Bud vase collection

Bud vase collection

Mama cat and Kitten finger puppets

Mama cat and Kitten finger puppets

Jams and Marmalade made in Maine

Jams and Marmalade made in Maine

city scape puzzle

city scape puzzle

throw blanket made in the USA

throw blanket made in the USA

5. Rala

Downtown Knoxville tote bag

Downtown Knoxville tote bag

Farmers Market baseball tee

Farmers Market baseball tee

National Park explorers guide

National Park explorers guide

If you would prefer not to purchase a physical item as a gift we have ideas for that as well!

-Consider making a donation in someones honor to a Gatlinburg relief fund to help victims of the tragic fire in our very own Smokey Mountains

-Purchase tickets for a play, musical or concert to give as an experiential gift

-Plan a dinner date to the restaurant of a loved ones choice and make a home made certificate saying "dinner's on me".

-Give the gift of organization and purchase a Help You Dwell Gift card for a friend or family member.

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color coordinated

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Before we begin, if you are color blind- our sincerest apologies. However, we're confident that in some way, you will benefit from these colorful ideas regarding coordination, categorization & organization. 

What colors do you find beautiful? What colors represent kid friendly things? What colors say "dangerous" or toxic? What colors signify the holidays? 

There are so many areas of your home where a little color coordination might bring simplicity and order. 

Image from Amanda Griffin-Jacobs blog. 

Image from Amanda Griffin-Jacobs blog. 

TOYS. Assess the toys in your home, and decide whether it will be more effective to separate toys by type or by the child that will play with them. Separating by type is conducive to families with children near the same age. Separating by which child plays with specific toys might be better for a family with a larger gap in age and interest, such as a young boy with an older sister. Pick a color and designate a bin/basket or tub for each category of toy.
 

Image from Simply Spaced blog. 

Image from Simply Spaced blog. 

CLOTHES. A closet organized by color is aesthetically satisfying and incredibly practical as you sleepily sift through your clothes to find the perfect (orange, yellow, pink or white) shirt for today. It takes the search and rescue effort out of getting dressed every day. Follow the gradient of colors as you look for your specific blouse or pair of pants. 

 

Image from A Bowl Full of Lemons blog. 

Image from A Bowl Full of Lemons blog. 

DOCUMENTS. While manila file folders are still classic, there are so many colorful options to choose from. If you are single, married or a mother to 12 children- you have important documents. Pick a color for each category, such as: Medical files, Home Warranties, School Papers, Bank Statements, etc. 

 

 

Happy color coordinating! Some other places to implement color organization include: book shelves, craft areas, and your dishes! What are other areas you use color to bring order and simplicity?

We'd love to help you think outside the box in the areas of your home that stump you. Give us a call to schedule your free 30 minute consultation today- 865.245.9080

[ Blog post image source: Apartment Therapy ]

with thankful hearts

Before you get swept up in the hustle & bustle of the holiday season, let's slow down and make room for gratitude. This week we're going to share a few of the local businesses we're thankful for! 

Image via K Brew's Facebook page.

Image via K Brew's Facebook page.

K BREW


Whether you are downtown or in the neighborhood, there's a location close by! The baristas are excellent at crafting beautiful caffeinated drinks while also making you feel at home. It doesn't get much better than a friendly face and a hot cup of high quality coffee. 

Image via The Happy Envelope website.

Image via The Happy Envelope website.

THE HAPPY ENVELOPE

We have a strong affinity for creative designs and pretty paper goods. From calendars, to wall prints, to stationary and even wedding invitations- they've got it all. And the lovely husband and wife team deliver incredible customer service and attention to every detail. Their beautiful studio and shop is downtown on Jackson ave. 

Image via Three Rivers Market website.

Image via Three Rivers Market website.

THREE RIVERS MARKET

Through the freshest produce and highest quality food, the co-op aims to "nourish a healthier community". That's a cause we are all about. If the co-op is your routine grocery shop or you just stop in once or twice, you're supporting their fight to stop waste and address food justice issues in our community. 

Image via Rala's Facebook page.

Image via Rala's Facebook page.

RALA

Looking for a unique gift this holiday season? We always love the variety of original goods and gifts available in this downtown shop. The best part is the shop is curated with products that are regionally and locally made by artisans. So many fun items specific to our region of East Tennessee. 

Image via Moretz Moving Facebook page.

Image via Moretz Moving Facebook page.

MORETZ MOVING COMPANY

These guys have become our go-to for most of our clients who are moving locally. They are professional and reliable. Family owned and operated for over 30 years. We've enjoyed working with them and watching them handle our client's furniture and belongings with extreme care. 

We are so thankful for the local businesses we've been able to learn from in the past 3 years. We love being a small business that cares deeply about the local economy and helping our neighbors.

 
Thanks to Texture Photo for one of our favorite shots.

Thanks to Texture Photo for one of our favorite shots.

 

Last but certainly not least, we are thankful for you; our clients, friends & family. Thank you for allowing us to walk alongside of you in transition, to create beautiful and functional spaces, and to help you bring simplicity and order to your homes and workspaces. 

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A renovation home tour

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Before

After

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of interviewing Abby Jones and got a tour of the lovely home that she and her husband Stuart renovated. We are so excited to share pictures of their home and the transformation that took place in the 8 months of hard work that it took to make this house their home. 

After several years of renting, Stuart and Abby took the plunge and bought a house from a friend. The house was a project. With a rumored condemnation order on the house, graffiti covered walls, and an unpleasant smell, it was quite the undertaking. Abby shared that walking through the house for the first time, they were quickly able to envision a restoration. It had good bones, french doors, "disney princess" windows, and buried under the muck, some beautiful floors.

Original French Doors

Original French Doors

Before

After

One of the biggest selling points for them was the lofted bonus room that they have designated the Prayer Room. Abby and Stuart share the prayer room with their community as a way to offer a space to rest, pray, or worship. 

I asked Abby what home means to her and she shared that to her, home means rest. Abby's desire is to cultivate a space where people come in and feel that they can be themselves. As Abby and Stuart are small business owners, work is busy, stressful, and can become consuming--home is where they unwind and get away from the daily grind. Abby said it perfectly when she said, "our home is a facilitation of community and relationship". They chose their home for many reasons but one being that several of their friends are now their neighbors. One habit they have started is meal sharing with those neighbors. After realizing that sharing the work and only having to cook one night a week would benefit everyone, they came up with a plan. 6 nights a week, a meal is cooked by one of the neighbors to feed 12 people. Each neighbor takes a night and cooks a simple healthy meal. Often times everyone ends up eating together but some nights the food is disbursed between everyone. It's become an awesome tradition that makes it easier to spend intentional time with those they love and share life with.

Here are a few of the questions I asked Abby in reference to her home.

Dining room looking into kitchen

How would you describe your style of decorating?

I would say that it has changed over the years. In 2012, when we first got married, I was more into the cozy, antique look. When we started designing this house I realized that I actually gravitate towards clean lines and more modern elements. We don't have much storage at this house and I knew I didn't want to clutter it up so we have kept things pretty minimal. One of the best decisions we made with this house was to wait to fill it. We took the time to figure out what we really wanted and saved for more quality items. We still have some antique items incorporated into our home along with our new purchases. Our dining room table was gifted to us by my parents. It was my grandmothers and I ate all of my meals around it as a child. We love pieces that have a story and meaning but also have discovered that we love to buy new things together.

What is your relationship to your belongings?

It's a bit of a mix. Some pieces have been in my family for generations. For example, I have a quilt that was my grandmothers when she first became a mom. I love the deep significance of items with a story. It's all about casting vision for what you enjoy--marrying the pieces of deep meaning with the pieces that you just really like. I love the idea of passing pieces to my own children one day. Stuart and I have been really intentional about what we keep and about what we buy so our furniture and belongings really mean something to us. 

Before

After

How do you balance working from home with your home being a place of rest? (Abby is a food blogger) 

I do all my recipe testing, recipe development, pictures and video in our home. It doesn’t feel like work at this point, it mostly it feels like creating. I think I’ve tried to keep it that way because I don’t want it to feel like a chore. For me, cooking/baking is my creative outlet, it’s how I get my alone time. Creating great tasting and beautiful food is restful for me. When we lived in the old city, Stuart worked from our studio apartment but as we are both introverts, we realized that separate time is really good for us. Stuart now has an office away from home which helps us draw the boundary of being able to leave work at work and rest at home. Having the two separate spaces has been really life giving. 

How is your home an extension of yourself or your family? 

I love hosting and I love creating. Our home allows me to do those things on a daily basis. We have great lighting for being able to shoot for my food blog, we have a prayer room that is designated communal space for our friends and neighbors and we have a layout that is conducive to hosting our people. Our home, specifically, our prayer room is a reflection of what our heart is- to provide space for community, creativity, and rest. 

Thank you Abby and Stuart for letting Help You Dwell share your renovation journey and your beautiful home with our readers!

*All photos were taken by Stuart and Abby Jones

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hosting for the holidays

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Image from Remain Simple blog.

Image from Remain Simple blog.

21 days til Thanksgiving! That reality might cause you excitement, panic or any feeling in between. We want to encourage a spirit of "intentionality" instead of "perfection" this holiday season. Think about being a guest in your own home this year: what do you notice, how did you feel, what was the focus? We're sharing a few practical and thoughtful ideas to create an intentional holiday gathering this week. 

Intention: your guests will see it, taste it, feel it and enjoy it. 

While there are so many moving pieces to coordinate for the Thanksgiving meal to be ready, one thing you can have prepared ahead of time for guests to enjoy upon arrival is a festive cocktail. Make it in a large batch so you aren't spending time making individual mixed drinks. Don't forget to mix up a batch without alcohol. Take a look at this recipe. 

Image from The Kitchn blog.

Image from The Kitchn blog.

In order to plan well, the host needs to know the amount of people they'll be serving. Send a text or email out 2 weeks in advance to get an accurate number of guests. Take a look at this helpful chart about servings and quantities for the size of your group. 

Don't go crazy with seasonal decor. Less is more! Instead of shopping for hours for the "perfect" centerpiece or tablecloth, look outside. Bring some natural elements in to create a rustic and welcoming table. Include your kids as you gather leaves, branches, or greenery from your yard. Lighting and natural elements will create a warm and inviting ambiance for your table. 

If you prefer a later Thanksgiving meal, someone is sure to be hungry before meal time. Whether it be your children, new acquaintances or yourself- these cranberry brie mini tarts are a beautiful appetizer that won't require additional dishes or silverware to serve and enjoy. If cooking one more thing feels like an unbearable burden, grab some cheese & crackers and have these out to snack on. 

Image from Fox and Briar blog.

Image from Fox and Briar blog.

Shift the focus outward. Your Thanksgiving table can be the launching point for a group investment in a local cause. There are so many ways to give back in our community. Take a look at this list of specific avenues to give of yourself this holiday season in Knoxville.

With just a pencil and paper, your feast can get a lot richer. Challenge your family or friends to take a moment to write out the things you are thankful for. If you want to go a little deeper, try sharing one or two of your items on your list. Gratitude begets gratitude and the thoughts shared around the table will create memories and meaningful moments.

Share your favorite Thanksgiving decor ideas, organizational tools, and traditions with us. How does your family or community celebrate?  

to do lists at your fingertips

Our daily tasks are just as important to order and simplify as the physical objects in our homes and workspaces. While we are still huge fans of printed calendars and lists, it seems that we are quicker to turn to our smartphones to make lists or calendar appointments as we go throughout the day. What does this mean? 

We are all busy people- whether you are juggling kids, freelance work, creative ideas, or diverse clients, we can sometimes get lost in our devices, calendars and apps that are supposed to help us live simply. 

I've tried a few different methods of list making and a few apps created specifically for task organization. By far, the one I would jump to recommend to my mom, my roommates and my coworkers is Todoist. 

Why it might be a good tool for you:

  • It allows you to streamline all of your lists into one location. When you add an item on your phone, (as long as you have internet) it will sync to your computer or tablet. This eliminates redundant list making and saves you time from transferring things from one device to the other. 
  • You can actually attach a "priority" to the item you are adding to your to do list. This creates an order of importance among your list, helping you remember what the most important and potentially urgent items are. 
  • The feature of "assigning a task to someone" is extremely helpful for a team working towards a common goal. It streamlines the communication process, allowing the app to serve as the mouthpiece and explanation of a task as well as a calendar with a due date. It could increase your productivity as a group or team as it cuts out the email or phone call in between. 
  • Using the Todoist list for your tasks and daily duties, will create simplicity and space in your calendar. Instead of plugging everything you need to do in a day, into your phone calendar, causing it to look overwhelming and full to the brim- put your tasks in the Todoist list and enjoy the satisfaction of checking tasks off one by one. 
  • The list stays up to date. It will show you the current day, or the upcoming 7 days. This serves as a form of auto clean up and fresh start for each day. If items don't get completed "today", you can simply click and add it to tomorrows list. 
  • Todoist offers integration with over 50 other softwares and programs that will increase your ability to share and upload images or documents from other locations on your phone or computer. 
Follow @todoistofficial on Instagram. 

Follow @todoistofficial on Instagram. 

Follow @todoistofficial on Instagram. 

Follow @todoistofficial on Instagram. 

Check out why Hannah loves Todoist on a professional and personal level. 

Recently, I've been using my Todoist app like crazy in order to stay organized and up to date on tasks leading up to our Fall Flea @ The Hive. Is this event on your calendar? We'd love to see you there! Add it to your calendar today- Friday, November 4 from 8 am to 2 pm and Saturday, November 5 from 8 am to 2 pm. #HYDFallFlea 

 

 

fall flea @ the hive

We're so excited to invite you to come shop the Fall Flea @ The Hive. We've curated an amazing collection of eclectic and unique pieces that we've gathered. 

Grab your neighbors, co-workers or friends and come shop! 

Invite your friends on Facebook. 

WHEN?

Friday, November 4 & Saturday, November 5

8 AM - 2 PM both days 

WHERE?

The Hive

854 N Central Street
Knoxville, TN 37917

DETAILS

Cash or card payment accepted.

Watch our Facebook & Instagram for photos of some available items!

 

 

these 5 things

We wanted to share a few things we're currently loving. Our hope is to bring you inspiration, beauty and simplicity through these links. Enjoy! 

  1. Hikes in Tennessee you don't want to miss. This weather is just asking you to go on an adventure. 

  2. Eclectic Fall Home Tour that has us swooning. Love the way this home showcases natural beauty, simplicity and personality. You might see an image that gives you some inspiration for your space! 

  3. Trader Joe's publishes some of their featured items online. They do not disappoint in the seasonal food department. They also consistently have beautiful bouquets of flowers at great prices. 

  4. These tips for a Casual Fall Dinner Party are so practical and also inspiring. According to this post, all you really need is a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine and a genuinely grateful heart for those gathering. Amen to that! 

  5. Feast your eyes on Danielle Walker's Paleo Pumpkin Recipe Roundup. Tis the season for everything pumpkin! Danielle Walker is the author of a few incredible cookbooks despite living with an autoimmune disease and multiple dietary restrictions. 

Wildcat Falls - Anoldent. 

Wildcat Falls - Anoldent. 

Did you know we have a page of our favorite organizing products? Check it out. As always, we'd love to hear from you- what are you currently loving?

This fall would be a great time to begin your year long subscription of monthly organizing with us. Give us a call to find out more- 865.245.9080. 

*blog post image courtesy of Nesting With Grace. 

 

Ways to Display Collections as Art in your Home

col·lec·tion
kəˈlekSH(ə)n/
noun

an assembly of items such as works of art, pieces of writing, or natural objects, especially one systematically ordered. 

Would you consider yourself a collector? You very well may be. 

Collections can be inherited, gathered over the years, bought when traveling, found all at once, created by your own hands, or slowly grow one piece at a time. They can be practical, sentimental, humorous, or all of the above.

We are so lucky to spend time with our clients, getting to know them and their stories. In their homes, we often discover beautiful pieces of history, family memorabilia, and one of a kind pieces of art. To collect is truly artistic. It requires selection, preference, taste and intentionality. 

Collections may be displayed in your home and they may be private. Your reasons for collecting are personal as well. You might collect to display your personality in your home to all who enter, and you may collect to build a compilation of meaningful pieces that will be passed on to a family member or dear friend. We wanted to share some of the most remarkable collections we've come across in the homes of our amazing clients. 

We'd love to see some of your favorite collections. Snap a photo of your collections and tag us on instagram or facebook. Thanks for sharing your treasured collections with the #HYD team! 

*Blog image source: Town And Country Magazine. 

the all purpose closet.

As much as it would fulfill our perfectly designed and organized dreams of each closet having it's own category of contents, sometimes we are presented just one closet for multiple purposes. Imagine one closet that needs to contain all of your seasonal decor, gift wrapping supplies, crafting tools, and cleaning supplies. We've come up with a few tips regarding each category, to help this closet function as functionally and organized as it can. These ideas can be applied regardless of the size or shape of the closet. Let's work with what we've got & get creative... after all this is why we call it "the art of organizing". 

Seasonal Decor.

Image from Eleven Magnolia Lane.

Image from Eleven Magnolia Lane.

  • Snap and stack ornament storage. Or if you have your own boxes, use those! Also try- egg crates or apple cartons for round & fragile ornaments. 

  • Hanging your wreaths vertically with a hanger... what?! Read more on how to.

  • Use your storage tubs and bins more efficiently. Empty all of your current holiday storage to see it all at once. Let go of the things you no longer like or don't want to use this season. Reorganize the bins into: outdoor decor, christmas tree decorations & lights, serving ware & hosting dishes. 

Gift Wrapping.

Image from I Heart Organizing. 

Image from I Heart Organizing. 

Cleaning Stuff. 

Image from The 36th Avenue.

Image from The 36th Avenue.

  • Use a shoe organizer for cleaning spray bottles. 

  • Choose pretty containers (clear glass or labeled clearly) to hold all of your cleaning supplies. Like this.

  • Get rid of all expired or toxic cleaning chemicals. Show your kids the supplies you want them to have access to and where they are to be stored. 

Crafting Supplies. 

Image from Mad in Crafts

Image from Mad in Crafts

  • Separate and distinguish between adult and children's craft supplies. 
  • Encourage the kids who will use this closet to help in deciding where things go and how they'd like to set their things up. 
  • Make room by purging items that your kids may have grown out of and would like to donate to another family. 
  • Use vertical storage (this is a common theme in this blog post!) like a hanging shoe container for yarn. 
  • Hanging paint storage: try this DIY trick. 

If you love the pretty door image we used for this blog post- google some creative ways to make a bland and boring closet door POP! 

Post a photo of the space, room, or nook that you love dwelling in & simply tag us (@helpyoudwell) and one lucky winner will receive a free HYD Canvas Tote! Last week to win. 

Also, we're so excited to announce the Fall Flea we're co-hosting with The Hive on November 4 & 5. Watch our Facebook & Instagram for sneak peeks of the collection we've curated coming soon! 

your favorite nook.

Last week, we launched the "HYD Fall Challenge" and our hope was to inspire you to conquer the closets in your home one at a time. However, we realize we may have been asking a lot of you to show us your perfected linen closet in just 3 short days!

So this week, we are going to keep it simple. 

We want you (our friends & followers) to post a photo of one of your favorite areas, corners, nooks or spaces in (or outside) your home that you enjoy "dwelling" in. It doesn't have to be fancy or perfect. Then tag us - @helpyoudwell ! 

One random person will be chosen to win a free HYD Canvas Tote. You've got nothing to lose & we'd love to see some of your favorite spaces. We'll still share some tips on organizing another closet, but as far as the "HYD Fall Challenge"... the pressure is off.

Week 2: Coat Closet 

Where to start?

  • Pull everything out. All the jackets, umbrellas, shoes, hats & scarves, and whatever else might have made a home here. 

  • Sort into categories. Discard: don't be ashamed if you find a few things that should be thrown away. Donate: old jackets, hats and scarves that you won't wear this year. Relocate: the jackets that should go into individuals closets, items that belong in the garage, anything that might be more useful to have in the laundry room. Keep: the jackets, umbrellas, hats and boots that make the most sense in this closet for you and your family. 

  • Before putting the keep items back in the coat closet, take time to imagine and visualize the coat closet of your dreams. These photos might inspire you. 

What you need? 

  •  Hangers

  • Bins or tubs (various sizes, whatever works for you and your items)

  • Hooks for the back of the closet door (umbrellas, children's backpacks, hats) 

  • Shoe organizer (rack, hanging shoe organizer, boxes on a shelf)

*Keep in mind, these are all optional. We just made a list to get you thinking of the possibilities. As always, we encourage using what you have instead of purchasing a bunch of new things.

How to maintain? 

  • Let your people know. Show them the changes that have been made. Tell them what goes where and what does not go in this newly refreshed coat closet. 

  • Re-visit monthly or seasonally. Put a calendar reminder on your phone to gently nudge you to spend a few minutes sprucing up the closet, or discarding unused items. This way, you are enjoying your organized coat closet all year around!

If there are areas in your home, garage, or office that you just haven't gotten around to organizing... we'd be happy to help. Give us a call or shoot us an email to schedule your free consultation! 

 

 

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join the challenge

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Fall has finally arrived. Let's hope the weather follows soon! We are devoting the month of September to an often neglected and problem area of our homes. You guessed it... the closets. 

What better way to get motivated and organized than joining us in the:

#HYDFallChallenge

For 4 weeks (every Thursday in the month of September) we will pick a specific closet to focus on in your home. Our blog will feature inspiration and tips to help you conquer your closets one week at a time. We want to see your completed projects each week! Post a photo to Facebook or Instagram (by the Monday after the blog is posted) with the hashtag #HYDFallChallenge . We will pick one random winner each week to receive the prize of a lovely HYD Canvas Tote! 

 

Why participate?

  • Because your closets need some love every now and then.

  • Because you will create space in your closets for the things you need and love.

  • Because you might win a beautiful HYD canvas tote. 

  • Because purging and creating space in your closets will inspire you to declutter other areas.

  • Because donating and giving back to your community is life giving. 

Week 1: Linen Closet

Begin by taking everything out of the closet (or cabinets). 

Separate the contents in a way that makes sense to you.

  • separate by room of use (master bedroom, children's bathroom, extra bedroom, etc.)
  • separate by color (whites, colors, neutrals, etc.)
  • separate by type (bedsheets, hand towels, bath towels, picnic blankets, etc.)

Sort into categories.

  • Discard- the torn towels or worn out sheets that you'd rather use in the garage or to dry off the dog. These can be put in a new place- laundry room or garage.
  • Occasional Use- the towels, sheets and blankets you only need when you have multiple house guests at one time or when the whole family goes on a trip. These could be better stored under a bed in a vacuum seal bag. Table cloths might fall into this category- try to find a place closer to the kitchen such as the top shelf of the pantry. 
  • Necessity- the ones you use every day. These are the ones that deserve a prime spot on the shelf in your laundry room. The trick here is that you don't need excess. Only have on hand, what you need and use regularly. Let your kids pick their favorite towels and blankets and find a shelf they can easily access. 
  • Donate- Challenge yourself to fill a few grocery bags or even a trash bag of linens that you can part with. Our local KARM stores would be a great place for these to end up. 

Put back the contents that are here to stay.

  • Think about who is using the linens and if they can reach what they need
  • Put them back in a way that is practical and aesthetically pleasing (each time you open this closet, you'll be glad you did!) 
  • Show your family members or roommates the new linen closet system!
  • Share your photo and hashtag #HYDFallChallenge 

Happy organizing!

#HYDFallChallenge 

home office must-haves

Whether you work from home full time or not- chances are you need a space to handle paperwork, pay bills and get personal tasks done. We have a few suggestions for your home office space, even if you don't have a separate "office" room in your home. We know that space, furniture and budgets are all constraints here but we hope these ideas help you create a space that is productive and also a space that you love. Here are some must-haves for your office space.

SUPPLIES

  • Notepad- If you are on a call or making plans, you need a place for those thoughts and numbers to land. Maybe a legal pad or clipboard would work for you, or maybe you are a sticky note lover. 

  • Stationary and mail- Having the essentials on hand will set you up for success. Stamps, note cards, return address labels, and envelopes are the keys. 

  • Pens- It's always helpful to have at least one highlighter and Sharpie available. Find your favorite writing tools and stock up so you don't spend time searching for them. 

  • all the littles- We're talking paperclips, staples, rubber bands, tab dividers, etc. A drawer with dividers and different size containers is the perfect home for these supplies. Or if you'd prefer them to be visible, pick up a stylish tray to place on top of your desk as your "control center". 

SYSTEMS

  • Contact Information- When you meet a new friend or get a business card, what do you do with that information? Create a system that works for you, maybe you have an album on your smart phone where you take pictures of the business cards you collect. Or maybe you have a box that functions as a  small filing system (alphabetically by name or type of service they offer) for contact info. 

  • Calendar- Similar to contacts, you have the choice of paper or electronic. Some people like to use both. The great thing about using your phone calendar is the reminders and alerts that keep you on track. Planners and agendas are great for seeing your week at a glance and scheduling your days. Here's a link to some fun printable calendars. 

  • Files- Again the question of paper vs. electronic is up to you. If you purchase an inexpensive scanner, you can digitally upload all of the papers that you need, in folders on your computer. If the traditional paper filing system works for you, go for it. Make sure to get folders that will allow you to separate and categorize the items you need to organize. Think colors, labels and dividers here. We love working with clients to come up with a personalized system that works best for you. 

COMFORT & INSPIRATION 

  • Seating- Never underestimate the power of a comfortable chair. What you can do in a nice padded seat compared to a hard and rigid chair will surprise you. It's worth looking for just the right chair and spending a little money on. If you enjoy standing while you work, look into standing desk options. 

  • Natural Light- Windows are ideal in any space that you will be spending time as they allow the sunlight to warm the room, energize your mind and get you going! If windows aren't present in your space, find a few lamps that will create warm and inviting light. 

  • Plant(s)- It's life-giving to have a real life plant in your workspace. It's something to tend to, but it also reminds you of growth, our need for nourishment and the fragility of life. Find a little low maintenance succulent to start with. 

  • Inspiration- We feel strongly about creating a space you enjoy. As you dream up this home office, what are the colors you love? Decorate with a few of your favorite prints or art pieces.

If a home office seems unattainable or like a far fetched dream, let us come help create an office space in your home with you. We love empowering our clients through a personal and orderly work space. 

Before

Before

After

After

Also, don't miss our Labor Day Special - One FREE Month of Organizing when you sign up for monthly organizing this weekend! 

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consignment opportunity.

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Fall is approaching; this means brisk mornings, pumpkin flavored everything, UT football games, and the holiday seasons approaching faster than we realize. As the weather transitions seasonally, so does our wardrobe. 

Is your closet full to the brim? Do you have clothes you rarely wear that are in mint condition? Would you love to make room for some new pieces? Want to make a little money on the clothes you can part with? What if we told you this was possible while also partnering to make a meaningful impact in 125 lives in our community? 

We are so excited to invite you to StateMint | An Upscale Consignment Event. This event was founded by Sarah McAffry, a Knoxville native who realized that Knoxville is full of fashion conscious women and men who need an event like this to buy and sell current fashions.  

Mark your calendars...

  • Thursday, September 29 | 10 am - 8 pm 

  • Friday, September 30 | 10 am - 8 pm

  • Saturday, October 1 | 9 am - 3 pm

Ready to get started...

REGISTER - TAG - SHOP

 

See you there...

6700 Jubilee Center Way
Knoxville, TN,
37912 United States

Have more questions? Ask away! 
Share the event with your friends and follow StateMintStyle on Instagram. 

 

tools and tips.

Do you have ideas and big ambitions about how to stay on top of your to-do list, calendar and schedule? If you're like us, we find our brain space full of swirling tasks and goals. We wanted to share some helpful downloads, printables, tips and tools we're loving recently. 

Get those things out of your mind... onto paper... into action! 

  1. The Inspired Room - Resources

We love these sheets for so many reasons. You can use them as you're thinking through your design taste, creating new habits and writing out goals. And the font and colors are pretty too! 

 

 

     
2. My Love for Words - Printable Labels

Looking for a set of labels that are ready to print today? These are perfect for a pantry, closet, garage or shelves. Tape them on today & feel accomplished. 

 

 

     

3. House Full of Sunshine - Vision Board Printables

Does your office, home office or kitchen calendar need some inspiration? These are beautiful, encouraging and inspiring. Print them today and your workspace will be instantly brighter. 

 

 

     

4. Kennary - Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

We are quickly approaching Fall... How functional is this pre-made maintenance list for the coming season?! Print it off and make a plan with your roommates or family before summer slips away. 

 

 

 

We hope these tools and tips are fun for you to look into today. Feel free to share with a friend who might love these resources! 

Furniture & Art Placement from a Recent Job

This week we wanted to give you a little glimpse into a job we recently completed (and loved)!

We had the privilege of helping an elderly client move from an apartment on the second floor down to the first floor in an assisted living complex. What seemed like a pretty simple "move" became much more meaningful for our team as we got started. 

Our client gave us permission to give her a fresh look in her space. From the furniture set up to art placement, we loved every minute! 

As we began gathering her artwork and memorabilia from international travels, we got very excited. It was such a fun experience to revel at her artwork and hand crafted books as we found special places in her apartment for them. We could see her light up as we got to enjoy the art she had created and collected throughout her life. Each piece had a story that she was eager to tell. Decorating her living space became more like an intimate art exhibit tour with the artist herself. 

We were reminded of the importance of surrounding yourself with things that bring you joy. For you that may mean memories, collections, or pieces of art. 

Yes you can.

 

Four ways to find success this weekend.

1. The paper pile on your kitchen counter? 

You can sit down this Saturday morning and go through it. Trash, File/Put away, To do. Those are you three categories. Then:

  • Toss the trash

  • File the keepers

  • Put the hammer where it belongs

  • Pay the bills or fill out the forms

2. The bags or boxes of items to be donated? 

You can make one more 15 minute round through the house, add a few more items to the bag, load them in your car Friday morning and drop them off on your way to the grocery store or on your lunch break.

3. The toy room overflowing with unneeded toys that other kids would love? 

You can grab your kiddos on Saturday afternoon, tell them they have a special opportunity to let go of their toys for other kids less fortunate by picking out 5-10 toys, place them in a box, and the nice men & women at the closest donation site of your choice will take care of the rest.

4. The bathroom closet/medicine cabinet with expired meds, unused beauty products, and scattered items?

You can get a trash bag to fill with the unusable items, purge any products that friends or family might like, and see what’s left. Once you know what you have, it’s easy to pick up containers like these from Target to contain items just the way you need and add a label to the front to make things easy to find!

Here are four little ways to make a big difference in your living space. They may not seem like much reading them on this blog, but trust us, we have experienced it personally and with clients time and time again.

Remember it only takes one little rock to start an avalanche. Who knows what organizing one small space in your home or workspace could lead to?

As always, if these tasks sound just like what you need but time is limited, HYD would be honored to help you along your journey to order in your space. 

Call us at 865.245.9080 for a free consult today.

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Have you heard about BackRoads Market?

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Earlier this week, we took an unofficial tour of one of Knoxville's newest businesses. Back Roads Market is more than just a store, it's a destination. Kerry and Craig Myers have poured tons of time and love into this beautiful space and have truly created something unique. For before and after pictures of the space, check out their latest blog entry!

The Myers' original vision was to create space for community. In our opinion, they have certainly executed that vision. They hope you find a fun item to purchase, but more than that, they hope you have a welcoming experience. Part coffee shop, part flower market, part consignment, part new furniture and decor, part custom furniture, part local goods, they have it all. 

On Saturdays, you can come build your own bouquet. Rather than purchasing a ready made floral arrangement, you get to pick each type of flower and you can make it work on any budget. 

If you are interested in consigning with them, you can check out their consigners agreement here. 

The in house carpenter, Danny, builds custom farmhouse tables and bed swings like the one below! 

Check back in with them regularly as they get new items in each week. With a mix of consignment, new items, and hand picked items from all over East Tennessee and North Carolina, you are sure to find something you can't live without. 

You can follow them on instagram @backroads_market

Caroline, BackRoads Market owner Kerry Myers, and Katie 

Caroline, BackRoads Market owner Kerry Myers, and Katie