A historic home full of friends and family

Spencer and Melody Ratliff live in the Oakwood/Lincoln Park neighborhood and have transformed their wonderful historic home into a space of hospitality and beauty. Spencer is a furniture designer and maker. While he’s recently branched out into commercial work including build outs for restaurants and work at Blackberry Mountain, he really loves helping people make their ideas a reality and does a lot of custom work for individuals. Spencer owns and operates his own business Old North Designs . You may know Melody from her days of running Flips Batter Bar- a pop up gourmet pancake bar where she served a variety of home made pancakes with all kinds of topping options and dozens of creative syrup flavors. While the batter bar is no longer operating, she occasionally caters and has plans for bottling and selling her batters and syrups in the near future. We are so excited to give you a peek into their awesome home and for you to hear about their heart for hospitality.

The front porch— Spencer and Melody recently repainted and rearranged the whole thing.

The columns had layers of paint covering some pretty incredible marble. They stripped the paint to expose the wonderful stone.

How long have you lived in your home? What initially drew you to it?

We’ve lived here for 5 years as renters and just bought it a few months ago! Before we moved in, it was a bachelor pad owned by some friends of ours and when they moved out, we were immediately interested. The home had already served as a community hub with a reputation of being open to whomever. We had been living in a 600 sq ft before, so we were really excited about the space upgrade. We love having rooms for guests and plenty of space for hosting.

What does home mean to you?

It’s a place of peace— a place where you can fully be yourself and don’t have to impress anybody.

Dining room

Dining room- original fireplace.

Looking from the kitchen into the dining room

How would you describe your style of decorating? Do you have any favorite stores or go to spots for furniture/home decor?

I try to focus on what works with the architecture of the house. Because our house is very traditional, my style has become more traditional. I definitely have an eclectic streak but I try to cater to the home that we are in.

Estatesales.net!!! it’s a weekly check for me.

Living room

Looking into the living room from the dining room

Has your style changed over time?

I definitely used to be a bit more cluttered. I’ve gotten a lot pickier about what I keep. If I don’t love it, I don’t keep it. As I get older, I’m more likely to spend money on one piece that I really like vs a lot of little things that I kind of like.

Do you have any collections?

Not officially but we lovingly refer to many items in our home as “The Patty collection”. Spencer’s late mother, Patty, had incredible taste and we inherited many of her pieces.

What is your relationship to your belongings?

Very loose-- so many of our things are hand me downs or bought second hand. We aren’t super attached to material things. If something breaks or gets spilled on a rug, its not a big deal- everything is replaceable.

Kitchen

Spencer created this custom box wine cabinet.

We love the creativity and innovation that this couple has!

When people come into your home, what do you hope they feel?

I hope that people feel peace and a sense of welcome and comfortableness. It’s’ really important to Spencer that our house always feels comfortable. He never wants it to feel so nice that it makes people feel uptight.

Upstairs sitting/yoga room. Art by Cayce Anthony

Do you have a style or home philosophy?

I care about things working well for hospitality. I arrange furniture for conversation. We intentionally choose pieces that play to that function for example- our dining room table fits a TON of people. We are part of a 5 night a week dinner share with our neighbors, so there are constantly people in and out of the house. Hospitality is our number one deciding factor in decorating and we’ve always been adamant about having a guest room.

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

Back to the whole hospitality.. we care a lot about making people feel welcome and comfortable. That’s why we care so much about our house and how it functions. We host “friendsgiving” every year and host many out of town guests.

Gallery wall of family photos, friends, and loved ones. Spencer made the live edge console table!

Do you have a favorite room in your home? A favorite piece of furniture or piece of art?

Our master bedroom and bathroom make me really happy. They are the most finished out of all of the rooms.

My favorite piece is the porch swing. Spencer made it and every morning we have our coffee on the porch.

Vanity in master bedroom

Master bedroom

Master bath

What do you love most about your home?

The neighbors. We love the house, but it’s the neighbors that make it so great! The 4 houses surrounding us are literally our best friends. My biggest piece of advice is that if you are looking to move or buy a house, look for a place where your friends are.

Details

Interior part of an old piano that Melody repurposed into decor.

Thank you Spencer and Melody for opening your amazing home to us!

Spencer, Melody, and Butter (the rabbit)

Being Present in the Middle of May

Image: Texture Photo

Spring is in full swing now and all the events of the season are coming at us from every direction! Graduations, travel plans, spring performances, festivals, sports tournaments, and end-of-school year parties and events are filling our calendars and brain-space as we try to survive one of the most beautiful months in East Tennessee.

We’ve gathered a few tips to help you be present, enjoy these last couple of weeks and finish the month with success.

Take a break from social media

For the rest of the month, hit pause on scrolling through your social media feeds. There are lots of fun things to post about on your own page - be it your kids, a fun travel spot, a memorable gathering - so go for it! But create a personal rule about not looking at other’s lives for the rest of the month to help you focus more clearly on your own.

Be willing to say “no”

Do someone a favor, and say “no” to an event, volunteer opportunity, or extra appointment and allow someone else the chance to say “yes.” Many of us are natural-born helpers (Enneagram 2’s, you know who you are ; ) ), but we’ve got to allow others the opportunity to help out in the classroom, take some food to a friend, or offer to help with the neighborhood newsletter.

Schedule (at least) a 30-minute window every day to unplug

Take some time each day to do something without your phone in reach or earshot. I know many of us rely on our phones for our business and to be available for our families, but we also need a break. Just putting it away for short windows to allow yourself to be fully present in some quiet space, especially in such a hectic month, can be very refreshing.

Try to get into bed 30 minutes earlier as often as possible

Sleep is imperative when our brains are in overload, and even if you can’t every night, choose an early bedtime as many times this month as you can. Find a magazine, book of poetry, or an easy read to allow your mind to unwind and lull yourself to a peaceful sleep.

Drink water

Don’t leave home without a full & refillable water bottle. With busy schedules and lots or running from one place to the next, it’s easy to let this simple habit go by the wayside. Plus the weather is moving towards summer, so as our bodies adjust to warmer temps, a little extra hydration is needed.

Lastly, enjoy the moments when you’re in them. This month will be gone before you know it, so hang in there, laugh when you can, hug those you love, and celebrate the milestones of all your people as they graduate, finish a sports season, or start a new adventure this spring.

“Wherever you are - be all there.”

— Jim Elliot

Loving Mom Well this Mother's Day

My mom & my girls 2016

After leaving the home of a client who recently lost his mom, I’ve been a bit more reflective thinking of my own mama and my life as a mother. I am so very fortunate to still have my mom here and healthy. She is one of my biggest cheerleaders and supporters by encouraging me, toting my kids from here to there, attending all kinds of her grandkids’ games and performances, and mostly loving me well in all my ups and downs that motherhood, marriage, and owning a business can bring.

We’re 3 days away from Mother’s Day 2019 and I’ve been contemplating how do I really celebrate my mom, let her know how priceless she is to me, and create a memory that I can enjoy when she’s no longer here. As some of you who know my mom or may have read in previous posts, my mom is quite the collector of things. She’s got some mad skills when it comes to finding deals, personal shopping for family and friends, and creating an amazing storyboard of all her finds and family pieces in the place she and my dad call home. Having lived in the same old farmhouse for over 40 years allows one to create quite the collection. : )

I say all that to explain why giving my mom some of my time, a little muscle, and some serious purging encouragement would (wink, wink), by far, be the best gift I could give my mom this Mother’s Day. Now for you, your mom may be a natural born minimalist and giving your time in her home may not be the best help. My encouragement to anyone reading who has a mom that they’d like to love well this Mother’s Day is to take a minute now and think about her. What’s her season, her newest hobby, a restaurant she’s always wanted to try? There are lots of directions we could go here, but my hope for you is to be able to find one act of sacrifice on your part that would be life-giving to her. Below is a short list of ideas, and I would love to hear your ideas in the comments below!

Whatever you land on, I hope you get a chance to connect with your mom, be it in person, over many miles, or in your memories.
And to all you mamas out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

Big love,
taryn

IDEAS FOR MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS

• Technology teaching session // Help her get up to date on the technology she needs to stay connected either with giving her your time, the time of your teenage kiddo, or professional help from a local techie like Neighborhood Nerds or Happy Mac

• Take her out to brunch or lunch // Some great spots in Knoxville are: The Plaid Apron, Olibea, Holly’s Gourmets Market, Wild Love Bakehouse, Farmacy, Cazzy’s Corner Grill, Jackie’s Dream Cafe

• Make an appointment for the both of you to get a mani/pedi instead of just a gift card for her // Natural Alternatives, Lox Salon, Moda Nail Spa

• Offer to assist in getting her photos printed and make a photo book or maybe just get some recent one in frames around her home

• Schedule a photo session with your mom and extended family with a professional photographer

• And our favorite… give her a Help You Dwell gift card! Our Mother’s Day Special is available until Saturday night at midnight & you get a whole hour for FREE!!

Image Texture Photo

Party Supplies Simplified

The beginning of summer seems to be a season full of parties, showers and get togethers. We celebrate the end of another school year, kids’ sports teams see the end of their seasons, and we say hello to the exciting beginning of summer adventures. As your schedule fills up with fun events, your home may end up being the location for a party or two. What do you really need in order to host a gathering in your space?

Photo by Texture Photo.

Hosting Essentials:

Photo by @helpyoudwell

Mason jars - use them as drinking glasses or to hold silverware and toppings.

Disposable silverware - try bamboo biodegradable utensils or a neutral-colored plastic set.

Napkins - If they are event-specific, purchase only as many as you’re sure you’ll need; use cloth napkins for smaller gatherings to avoid waste.

Versatile serving trays - don’t be afraid to pull out the fancy items — use what you have.

Party playlist - pick a genre, or make your own custom playlist to fit the mood.

Practical Tips:

Photo by @helpyoudwell

Choose decor you can reuse.

Borrow linens from a friend or neighbor.

Fresh flowers or greens can bring some life to the table.

Less is more. Don’t go overboard with trinkets and decorations.

Allow others to help. You don’t have to do it all yourself.

Take the pressure off of yourself! What’s more important - the gathering of people you appreciate in a space you love, or that everything is “perfect” in your presentation and hosting? Don’t become so preoccupied with how it all looks that you miss out on the joy of spending time with people you appreciate and enjoy.

Happy hosting! And if there’s a mama friend that you love, that does her fair share of hosting - we can help her get a handle on those party supplies and hosting areas of the home.

Show your mama some love with our Mother’s Day Special. Available now until Saturday, May 11 at midnight. Give your mom the gift of organization!

Start 'em young

Taryn with Kate, Will, and Eli Ruth // 2008

I became a mom with very few plans in place for how I’d spend time with my child or children, how I envisioned my home being set up for little ones, or how many kids I wanted to have. I’d always hoped to be a mom. I just didn’t really have specific ideas of exactly how that might go down. Almost 17 years into motherhood, and 3 amazing kids later, I am both thankful for that somewhat clueless beginning and at the same time, a bit regretful that I wasn’t more intentional.

Image: Texture Photo // 2018

I’ve found that not having concrete expectations of how motherhood would go was a gift in that it allowed for a whole lotta grace. Not so much pressure on them or on me to be someone I had dreamed up in my head. I think I have been able to pay closer attention to each one of my kids and their unique personalities, ways of relating, and specific needs better since I didn’t have rigid expectations of what I wanted parenting and my kids to look like.

Being somewhat clueless also paved the way for new relationships and a sweet reliance on family. I am fortunate to have started motherhood off with some incredible new mamas who I’ve shared this crazy adventure with and who are still some of my dearest friends. We learned so much from one another. I am also a very blessed gal to have a mom and mother-in-law who have shown me what great love and sacrifice for your kids looks like. All good gifts in the midst of my cluelessness.

However, there is one area that I do wish I had been more thoughtful about at an earlier stage — how to create spaces in my home, and spaces in our days, for my kids. I had to make a lot of mistakes in this area before realizing there’s a better way. Of course hindsight is 20/20, but if I had taken a bit more time to think through what items &/or areas in my home that would encourage my kids to learn, explore, and love well, I would’ve saved myself lots of hours of singing (and doing) the “clean-up, clean-up, everybody everywhere” song and dance, procrastination, guilt, and frustration.

On May 2 at The Back Porch Mercantile, this is the exact topic we will be teaching on.

• How do we get a baby’s room ready with all the needs but not the excess?

• What’s the best way to create a play area for toddler’s that allows them to explore but doesn’t turn my house into a plastic toy jungle?

• Do I keep all my preschooler’s handprint art and the other 724 pieces of art they’ve created?

• Toys through the years and how to store them in a way that your kids can actually clean them up.

• How do we do birthdays and holidays well without filling up on too many gifts?

• What to do with all my elementary-age child’s school work?

• How do teach my kids to organize?

I have learned lots raising this boy and my two girls. I’m still learning. And whether you’re a new mom or a few years in, my hope for you is that through some intentional, thoughtful planning, you can create the best space for your kids and for you to be the best mom you can be.

Image: Paige Severance (and her cutie twins!)

A carefully curated home

One of our favorite friends and clients, Sandy Presley, opened up her home recently for us to share with you. It’s full of one of a kind treasures and collected pieces from antique shops and local Knoxville stores. Sandy’s home is one of those places that always feels like a breath of fresh air and a place where it’s easy to relax and be yourself. With a neutral palate and a warmth that comes from beautiful woods and colors, Sandy’s home is like a retreat. We hope you enjoy this peak into her beautiful space.

How long have you lived in your home?

14 years. When we decided to build, we purchased a house plan and customized it. We opened up the main living area more than the plan called for to make our space work better for hosting large groups of people.

The music room

Powder Room

Sitting nook in a guest bedroom

What does home mean to you?

It’s a landing place for all my family. A gathering retreat where memories are relived and new ones made.

Living room

Living room— custom cabinets made from old heart pine that Sandy collected.

How would you describe your style of decorating?

Modern- rustic. I hope that it’s comfy and cozy!

Bench: Antique from a shop in Atlanta, watercolors from O.P. Jenkins

Did your style happen organically or was it a process of figuring out what style means to you? Has your style changed over time? Do you have any favorite stores or shops for furniture or home decor?

I try not to be too trendy but always go with pieces I love. I tend to work with the character and nature of the home itself as well. I decorated our previous house differently because that home was a very different style than my current one. For furniture and decor I love the Restoration Hardware outlet and antique and vintage shops. Locally, my go-to’s for pretty things as well as therapy are O.P. Jenkins, Laws Interiors, & Bennett Galleries.

The keeping room

collected books and treasures

You have some really amazing pieces in your home, what is your relationship to your belongings?

I’m not super attached to much of anything and offer almost everything to my kids except for my blue velvet chair in the keeping room. Everyone wants that chair!

When people come into your home, what do you hope they feel?

Peaceful and relaxed and so comfortable that they want to come often.

Do you have a style or home philosophy?

Love what you love. Don’t let magazines dictate what you should love.

Dining room with heart pine wood paneling that Sandy collected.

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

This home is too much house for me so I love sharing it with others. I’ve hosted many showers, parties, wedding events, Christmas carol sing along’s, even a wedding itself here. I always want it to feel open to anyone.

Foyer

Laundry room details

Do you have a favorite room in your home? A favorite piece of art or piece of furniture?

The keeping room. I love the coziness of the fireplace and I love that you are still part of what’s happening in the kitchen.

I have put a lot of thought and care into everything I selected in the original design so each thing is pretty special. It’s hard to pick but I would have to say the wood panels in the foyer and dinging room as well as the cabinetry in the living room are my favorites. Sam Whisman and Bruce Kestrel made them from old heart pine wood that I’d collected over the years. I also collected antique doors for this house and have used them in all different ways.

What do you love most about your home?

I love that it’s a quiet place of refuge for me, my family and my friends. I love that everything has a story behind it.

Sandy and her family. Image by Texture Photo

"Be kind to your future self" by Sarah Pattison

We’re excited to share a guest post from our friend, Sarah of The Happy Envelope. She & her husband, Ty, have been creating beautiful paper products here in Knoxville for over a decade. Read & enjoy her words…

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City Prints, by THE.

“The only difference between a mob and a trained army is organization.” –Calvin Coolidge

A friend once said told me about her mantra to make choices that would be “kind to her future self.” When taking off your jacket, for example, you can hang the jacket on the hanger in the closet, or on the hook by the door. You can also just throw that jacket over the arm of the chair as you walk into your home, or set it down across the kitchen table. You can wear it up to your bedroom and crumple it onto the chair there, or hang it up in your bedroom closet. Which decision is kind to your future self? Placing your jacket where you know to look for it when you need it next: that’s kind to your future self. It may take five seconds more energy now—from your present self—but it will potentially save many minutes of wandering around the house asking aloud, “Has anyone seen my jacket?” as everyone in your family is becomes more and more annoyed with how late we’ll all be because Mom can’t find her daggum jacket. (Perhaps this scenario has happened before… with jacket, keys, sunglasses, regular glasses, a purse, diaper bag? Maybe it’s just an example: you decide.)

Custom Stationary, by THE.

Creative people are often stereotyped as disorganized, harried, and discombobulated. I wish that I could defy the stereotype, but unfortunately, I elevate it. I don’t like to be surrounded by chaos, and I actually love when everything is clean and peaceful and beautiful. I’m visual and I care about aesthetics. I’m just not kind to my future self, and things can get out of control quickly. And within just a day or so, even putting the clothes away is no longer a one-basket job, but now a three-basket job and I begin to feel overwhelmed. 

At home, I can get away with this. It’s not like we live in a pigsty; it’s just not as organized and tidy as I’d like, and it’s my own fault. But translate this character flaw to work and it’s an entirely different matter. Clients depend on me. Organization of proofs, time-frames, delivery dates, checklists… these things are crucial to timely deliveries and happy customers. Organization is actually critical for business success.

This past year at the studio, we’ve implemented a few wonderful tools that help us all stay more organized and on-track together as a team. We’re working on a Training Manual. We’ve started using Adobe Sign for all proof approval contracts. We’re trying to clean up our Dropbox. But my favorite is Basecamp, a project management online software. While each project used to feel like herding cats, now the entire project scope from start to finished is filled with checklists, due dates, people held accountable, job tracking, and even file organization. It really has been a game-changer for our entire staff. So, I’m growing. Baby steps. 

Vintage Round Home Address Stamp, by THE.

We’re getting ready to move our studio again, sort of quickly.  As I look around my desk area and bookshelves, I’m already starting to feel the dread. The temptation for me is always going to take the easy, kind-to-present-self way: literally throw everything into one big box, label it, “Sarah’s desk” and tape it up. Out of sight, out of mind! But how will my future self feel later this summer when she’s trying to get her new studio set up and she’s opening up disorganized piles of junk thrown into boxes any old way? I’ll tell you: Future Sarah is gonna be overwhelmed and stressed and she’s gonna cry a lot. I don’t want that for her. 

Instead, I’m planning to actually make decisions as I go: do I really need this book of paper samples from 2004?  No? Then it doesn’t come with me.  Hopefully, when all of our construction and build-out is finished later this summer, Future Sarah will open up a few clearly labeled, simply organized boxes and get her desk set up with a smile on her face. 

Xoxo,

Sarah Pattison, The Happy Envelope.

Sarah

PS- We’re moving to 5605 Kingston Pike right around the corner in Bearden. We’ll be nestled in between Grow Salon and Firestone Tires. Please come pop in to our much bigger space once it’s finished later this summer… you can watch the presses in action through windows, just like the taffy-makers in Gatlinburg! In the meantime, find us online and at the Market Square Saturday Farmer’s markets, Talahi Plant Sale (this Saturday at Lakeshore!), and Retropolitan Craft Fair.

2 Week Countdown to Pineapple Consignment!

Knoxville, get ready for a fun event coming up… Pineapple Consignment is one of our favorite local events to attend. Shop gently used and up-cycled home decor and furniture at a great price.

What is Pineapple Consignment?

Pineapple Consignment 2018.

A shopping experience catered to you. You can shop Pineapple Consignment for free. What you’ll find is high-quality new and gently used furniture and home decor—priced up to 90% off retail value! We’re fairly picky and only accept items in good condition!

Can I sell some of my own stuff?

Consigning is fun, you can earn up to 75% commission, and consignors get to shop early. You set your own prices, and Pineapple’s online system makes tagging and managing your inventory super easy.  At the end of each sale day, you can check earnings, and we’ll pay you via PayPal within 10 days. Deadline to sign up to consign is April 7.

How did this get started?

Insert the lovely, Megan Church…
This Pineapple dream started in early 2018. I was selling an ottoman on Facebook, and six or seven people said they wanted it. “Awesome!” I thought. I scheduled a time to meet the lady who had responded first. Later, I packed up all three kids and drove to the rendezvous point. The lady stood me up. In fact, I got stood up FOUR TIMES IN A ROW, and I vowed, “NEVER AGAIN.” So here we are!

I happen to be one of those crazy people who loves consignment sales, and over the years I’ve saved a ton of money by up-cycling my clothes, as well as my kids’. Ever since I had my first baby and quit my day job, I have been needing a creative outlet. Hospitality is really important to me, and I’m passionate about bringing women together.

Stay in the loop & shop the event!

get outside!

We love this time of year. Watching everything come back to life after the long (wet) and dark winter is so refreshing. The change of season can bring shift in our perspective and revival to our spirits. With the start of spring comes excitement and ample opportunities to enjoy beautiful east Tennessee.

Image from Visit Knoxville.

Here are a few ways we encourage you to get outside & welcome the new season…

Explore Knoxville’s tree-based adventure park, Navitat, at Ijams Nature Center, or take a hike on one of the Center’s trails.

Pack a picnic lunch and bring a blanket for a sunny feast at Sequoyah Hills Park.

Sweep off porch and patio areas. Make them more inviting with a new welcome mat or strand of lights.

Enjoy a beer with a friend at the Bearden Beer Market to support Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful.

Celebrate EarthFest’s 20th year anniversary at SoKno Taco Cantina.

Image from Outdoor Knoxville.

Enjoy a Signature Spring Wildflower Hike at Norris Dam State Park.

Participate or cheer on participants downtown for the Covenant Health 5K & kids run.

Instead of going to the gym, head to Lakeshore Park and traverse the loop at any pace you please.

Begin preparing your gardens and attend Easy Vegetable Gardening seminar at Stanley’s Greenhouse.

Make a bonfire & invite new neighbors to enjoy it with you.

Guardian of the Adventurer: A world traveler’s home tour

“Guardian of the Adventurer” protects loved ones on their journeys and guides them safely home. Made by Mary Ennes Davis of Crow River Studio. Mixed media made from a cupboard door, banister railings, coat hanger, rulers, letter press, coins, sterling compact, chopsticks, and beach glass beads. Purchased by Susie at the Smithsonian Craft Show.

One of the many beautiful things adorning the walls of Susie’s home is a special piece of art titled “Guardian of the Adventurer”. I can’t think of a better way to describe the entirety of her home. Walking in, I immediately felt safe and welcome and like I had just stepped into a treasure trove. Susie herself is quite the adventurer, and her home is a perfect capsule of the many places she has been, the loved ones she has experienced life with, and the beautiful art she has both collected and created herself along the way.

An antique wedding chest from Germany circa 1815.

Formal dining room with an AMAZING German folk art cupboard circa 1843 at the head of the table

Susie’s collection of Gaudy Welsh

Antique samplers and another beautiful German folk art cupboard circa 1806

A native of Oak Ridge, Susie spent many years with her husband, Carl, living abroad and in the D.C. area. When she returned to Tennessee in 2015, she settled into her home and has transformed her space into a wonderful collection of stories and past and present memories. With a fondness for where she’s come from and an excitement for what the future holds, her sense of adventure is contagious.

Copper Luster from England and treasured books

Collection of Ink wells and Turnbridge ware collected from England

A German wedding box which says “When two hands are joined as one”.

“Mother and Child”by Jacque Parsley of Louisville

A collection of Dala horses and other treasures from Sweden passed down from Carl’s side of the family

When I asked Susie what home means to her she described it as her nest, her safe haven-- and one that she can open up and extend to others as well. Home is her happy place, and it’s filled with the stories of her life. When people come into Susie’s home, her desire is that they feel loved and welcome. She loves creating a comfortable place that evokes curiosity and invites questions and storytelling.

Susie had the wonderful idea of replacing the panels of several of her upper cabinets with glass fronts to lighten up her kitchen.

A wonderful sun room that Susie converted from a screened in porch to be able to use year round.

Antique stained glass collected from a church in Aberdeen Scotland and framed to fit her space. We love the creative ways that Susie has customized her home.

Susie’s decor leans toward traditional with a deep love for antiques (including some incredible European pieces) and a bit of quirkiness thrown in. One of her go-to spots for furniture and home decor was Westwood Antiques of Knoxville, which closed in 2018. The owner, Scott Bishop, now has a booth at Bearden Antique Mall. A self-proclaimed lover of all things hand made, she has a special love for created items. Artwork of all sorts graces her home, including carvings, sculptures, quilts, paintings, antique samplers, lithographs, and mixed media pieces. Susie shares that she’s had a good sense of her design leanings for as long as she can remember. She’s always loved antiques and folk art and has always gravitated towards certain colors.

Round Robin quilt made by Susie and 5 friends from England

Hydrangea guest bedroom

Antique depression era quilt hanging on wall. Quilts on bed are Lone Star variations made by Susie

I was intrigued by how travel had influenced Susie’s decorating, and she shared that early on in her marriage, while they were living in Europe, they would purchase a piece of artwork in each place they visited. Sometimes it was a print or a lithograph and sometimes it was an original painting, but they always brought back a memory. As an Army wife, she was heavily influenced by the people she met and the places she visited in their travels.

If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

William Morris

Susie shares, “The above quote has always been my mantra for creating the 13 homes I’ve lived in as we’ve moved all over the world. As an Army family who had to relocate often, it was very important for Carl and I to make each place special—unique, our own, no matter if it was an Army-furnished set of quarters with generic furniture, a temporary apartment, or our dream home.”

Hydrangea quilt made by a dear friend of Susies. Jenny Harris is a British quilter who won prizes for her creation.

In the same way, Susie’s own creativity and art has influenced her home. She has beautiful quilts, sketches, and other crafted creations throughout her home. She considers her home a large- scale photo album of her life.

Susie’s craft and art room

Vintage pencil box

Quilting closet. Every quilter needs a palette

Collection of miniatures from special places and adventures

Collected vintage and antique toys and children’s books from all over the world

In the same way that Susie has collected art and artifacts, she’s also collected people and brought them into her clan, blending and connecting beautiful things and friendships in new and synergistic ways. Thank you so much Susie for opening up your amazing home and sharing part of your story with us!

Susie and Carl in Suffolk, VA in December 2012

Tunes for your Spring Refresh Organizing

Before tackling that bedside table drawer, or kitchen junk drawer… check out our Spring Refresh playlist we’ve put together for you.

Photo from Schoolhouse Electric.

Some fun music, an open window & an eager attitude will take you a long way as you refresh your space this spring. Schedule out some manageable chunks of time to focus on one area or project at a time. Celebrate the success of finishing each small project. Bit by bit, your space will be refreshed.

A playlist featuring LÉON, Brandi Carlile, Bahamas, and others

What are some of your favorite tunes to listen to while cleaning, purging or organizing?

Paper Organizing Tips

From junk mail, bills, and cards, to kid artwork, schoolwork, and other miscellaneous files, paper can be overwhelming. While technology has eased some of the physical load paper brings, it certainly cannot (and I’m not sure ever will) eliminate paper in our lives. So… what to do? 

Here’s a few tips:

• Treat your paper piles, filing cabinet, desktops just as you would your closet.

  • Purge before organizing. This may sound painful, especially if you have a lot to go through, but it’s so important if you really want to get a handle (and more space in your house!) on your paper.

  • Going though every single piece of paper in your house may be too overwhelming right now, but in the meantime, you want to get control of what’s coming in.

• Handle the mail every day.

  • Don’t bring the mail in until you can go through it right then.

  • Sort the papers into trash, recycle, and keep.

  • The “keep” category would include anything that requires action — bills, RSVPs — or anything you want to read — cards, newsletters. Put the “keep” mail in one place, preferably some sort of basket, bin, or box (not a pile).

• Sort through other incoming papers daily into trash, recycle, and keep.

  • The stacks that come home from work or school can add up, so be sure what you’re deciding to not trash or recycle is truly worth keeping.

  • Encourage your kids to help choose which projects or artwork stays, and which ones to let go of.

• Set one time a week to go through the “keep” bin.

  • Pick a time that makes the most sense for your schedule — Sunday afternoon might work for many, or maybe you have a morning or afternoon that’s typically free of other obligations. It’s all about creating new rhythms and habits to stay on top of the paper beast with a simple system.

• Questions on how long to keep files?

Happy birthday to HYD!

Thanks for celebrating our birthday week with us by participating in our daily giveaways on Instagram & Facebook. We’ve loved getting to share some of our favorite products from local companies with you. Thank you to our daily giveaway providers: Third Creek Coffee, Providence Road Pottery, Stanley’s Greenhouse, Pineapple Consignment, Back Porch Mercantile, and Origami Day.

As we celebrate our 5th birthday as a company, we’ve reflected a bit. Here’s a few things we’ve learned and milestones we’ve achieved…

• Expanded our team from 2 Co-Founders to 12 people.

  We are so much better together, than on our own.

• Written and shared over 260 blog posts.

  Enjoy a look back at our top 5 most viewed blog posts:

  • Personal Trainer turned Organizer

  • Social Worker turned Organizer

  • A look inside the home of downtown Knoxville’s “Elvis Artist”

  • The Prettiest Little Dish Shop You Ever Did See

  • Have you heard about Backroads Market?

• Grown our following to 3,600+ people on social media.

• Taken 600+ donation loads to local nonprofit organizations.

• Hosted 5 flea sales, re-homing our client’s furniture and decor.

• Assisted with 60+ moves, from packing and unpacking to estate transitions.

• Spoken at 18 community events and gatherings in the greater Knoxville area.

• Served 400+ clients in need of organizing services in their homes or workspaces.

• Worked with lovely clients near & far: Knoxville, Maryville, Farragut, Strawberry Plains, Oak Ridge, Powell, Asheville, and Atlanta.

• Helped 40+ clients on a monthly basis.

Thank you for celebrating with us! We cannot wait to see what the next 5 years hold. We’re committed to being your guide as you reclaim your home through our organization and move management services. It’s our hope to free you up, to do more of what you love.

Sharing some lovely updates

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Photo by Texture Photo.

We are excited to announce our fresh, new website design, featuring new home organizing packages, exclusive HYD memberships, and other services. Take a look around!

We’ve created a round up of our favorite local resources for donation spots, consignment locations, and service providers.

Did you know that HYD offers presentations and workshops? We can create a customized presentation for any specific group.

Looking for a last minute gift card for a loved one? We’ve got them!

Photo by Texture Photo.

Photo by Texture Photo.

Also, we wanted to remind you that our 5th birthday giveaway is still open! Don’t miss your chance to win - enter before next Thursday 2/21 at 11:59 PM. The lucky winner will be announced on Friday 2/22. Celebrate our birthday with us next week by participating in daily giveaways on Facebook & Instagram.

Explore our updated website here!

Why we love coming home…

My favorite thing about coming home is the people... whether it be my family, neighbors, or folks dropping by, it’s the place where we get to connect with our people, hopefully creating a space where everyone feels welcome.
- Taryn

Items from a guest, a child & the garden.

I love coming home because our house feels like a comfortable blend of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going as individuals and as a family. I’m a sucker for anything unique and old and I love that our home feels like a giant patchwork quilt: pieces of memories, people, and inspiration sewn together in a way that somehow all works.
- Caroline

Bookshelf of collected treasures, photo by Texture Photo.

Coming home feels like a big exhale to me. Our home is comfortable and simple, a place where we feel free to rest & play. We hope it can be that for everyone who comes in & out of our door.
- Katie

Morning light through the dining room.

I enjoy coming home because I have such a cozy space! My house is small & the main room is used as an entryway, living room, dining room, game room, homework area/office, TV room, weekend sleepover area, etc. When I walk in the door, all the future plans & past memories are there to greet me. And Stella. She’s always there to give me a warm welcome home as well.
-Kathie

Main room, featuring Stella.

Some of my favorite things are LOTS of sunlight, real plants (now that I’ve learned to keep them alive), candles, and good coffee.  At the moment, my family is living in a temporary residence that really doesn’t feel like home to me.  But I’ve still got my plants and coffee and I’m eager to get back into a space I can make all mine again!
-Rheannon

Plants and good coffee.

What do you love about coming home?

What we're reading

We just finished a great read & wanted to share our thoughts with you. There are a lot of “organizing” books out there, and most of them are highly focused on the practical and tangible aspects of the process. New Minimalism: Decluttering and Design for Sustainable, Intentional Living has so much more to offer than just the “how to” organizing info. It feels like they speak our language, when it comes to listening and understanding a client’s specific needs before prescribing what to do and how to do it.

“The key to making the decluttering process feel easy and light is to exercise gratitude. We focus on gratitude because it helps root us and makes us feel calm as we enter this process. It is an antidote to anxiety, fear, and shame. Guilt dwells in the past. Gratitude grounds you in the present.”

- New Minimalism, Cary Fortin + Kyle Quilici

They offer a framework of 4 Archetypes that expound on how individuals personally relate to their possessions. The archetypes are used to help express why it’s hard for a particular person to declutter, while keeping the focus on the positive side of how we relate to our things. This framework can be such a helpful tool when learning your own archetype or the archetype of people you live with.

Here’s a real brief overview of the archetypes:

We love the way they offer a process and plan for helping folks declutter and organize, but they do it in a fluid and flexible way that is tailored to each specific client. In our five years of experience, we find this way of organizing is helpful for clients — there is no one right way for everyone to simplify their lives.

Here’s a few other excerpts we loved from the book:

“Here is the place where we can’t help but expound on one of our favorite philosophies: the myth of choice. Somewhere in our cultural evolution toward a consumer heavy lifestyle, some great advertising goddess came up with the brilliant idea that more is better. This idea has become so ingrained in our American ethos that we believe having more options liberates us and allows us to be our most fulfilled and most creative selves. Even that language - liberty and creativity - is at the very core of what we’ve always held to be the cornerstone of enlightened civilization. Yet it has been proven that having more choices does the exact opposite of giving us freedom. It leads us to feel overwhelmed, unsatisfied, and confused.”

- New Minimalism, Cary Fortin + Kyle Quilici

Cary + Kyle

The gals who wrote this book have a deep appreciation for being conscious consumers, as well as kind to our environment. They even venture to say “ the choices we make in the kitchen, just like the choices we make about our wardrobes, echo through our day and our communities”. We couldn’t agree more with the idea that our choices effect much more than just our own lives and well being.

In regards to mail, they preach the same message we’ve been empowering clients with for a long time… “Make sure that as soon as you get your mail from your box or front door, you open all important pieces, then shred & recycle them once they are no longer needed. If you don’t have time to open your mail, we would recommend leaving it in the mailbox until you do have time, rather than bringing it in and not sorting it. Otherwise piles start to grow”.

We really appreciate the way these women highlight and credit other professionals in the organizing realm, like Marie Kondo & Karen Kingston. This collaborative posture is one we can totally support.

At their best, our homes are a reflection of our hopes, our current values and our history. While having meaningful objects from our pasts can be beautiful, we need to achieve a fine balance, lest we become rooted in our history and unable to move forward into our future.

- New Minimalism, Cary Fortin + Kyle Quilici

This read is chock full of wisdom about making thoughtful decisions and shifting your perspective. We found ourselves nodding our heads and underlining so many pages. If you want to be encouraged and equipped to live more simply and intentionally, we highly recommend grabbing a copy.

We are cheering Cary and Kyle on as they continue to serve clients in the San Fransisco area. Follow them on Instagram to see glimpses of what they do! Grab a copy of their book and stay tuned for their second book, New Minimalism Guided Journal, set to come out in early 2020. They also have a wonderful blog.

meet our friends: brooke & lara

HYD recently moved into a new office space. The space is made up of an old craftsman home with a church attached to it, right off of Lyons View Pike. We are slowly but surely making it our own. We are lucky enough to share our new workspace with two other talented small business owners. These gals happen to also create beautiful art and spaces. Meet Brooke, of Brooke Phillips Designs and Lara, of Studio L. We did a little Q+A, so that you can get to know them… so settle in and enjoy hearing their stories.

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We’ll start with Brooke…

Q- Where did the inspiration for your company come from?

A- My husband always told me I had a gift for creating spaces that people love to be in, way before I was paid for it. And my creativity was born out of what I lacked. I studied because of a passion that I just couldn’t get enough of.  What I learned is that I was able to have a beautiful space by understanding what materials were good, what was real. Woods, metals, leathers, textiles that were natural and timeless are staples in a well thought out space. I had a few homes growing up that modeled that timelessness and were a big source of inspiration for me. But over the years, I realized how healing a home can be to a soul. And that is largely the reason I decided to be brave enough to start my company. And we needed to. I was pushed in my spirit to the point that I couldn’t say “no” anymore. 

Q- What are your favorite projects to work on?

A- I am a stylist. I love helping folks use things that have meaning to them in new and un-heard of ways. I want the spaces I style to tell a story about who lives and breathes in them. We can do that with sounds, sights, textures, smells and beautiful things. When everything is new, it just doesn’t seem as authentic to me. Coco Chanel said, “fashion fades, but style endures.” I agree with that. And my favorite projects are those that evolve over time and ones that give me an opportunity to curate a space. 

Q- What is one job/piece you are most proud of?

A- I am most proud of the restoration of our 1930’s colonial home and guest cottage in South Knoxville. It wasn’t perfect, and we didn’t have the opportunity to fully finish the project, but it had this wonderful feeling and made you want to sit a while and tell stories in it. It felt like home. 

Q- What does "home" mean to you?

A- To me, “Home” is a sacred space where the ones you love feel safe. It doesn’t revolve around “decorations” as much as it revolves around “intentionality”. Do your sofas invite you to sit? Your tables? Does the kitchen island invite you to gather around it? To share? 

Q- What is one book / podcast / song / piece of art that has moved you recently? 

A- I was recently by a piece of art my husband brought back from Israel. It was a photo of graffiti on an ancient exterior wall in Jerusalem. The wall is cracked down the center. And on the cracked wall, was a symbol and painting of “AHAVA”, the Hebrew word for Love backwards forwards, formed in a circle. It is the symbol for perfect love. I think the artist wanted to communicate that perfect love is only possible by loving the imperfections of others. I was inspired because it is on the backdrop of our cracked walls and imperfections that we can love well. 

Q- Favorite thing about living in East TN?

A- I love the seasons of East TN the most. It’s such a beautiful backdrop for rhythms of life. And I love that it’s so full of opportunity and talent and creativity. We lived in Florida for 13 years, and moved back about 5 years ago. I can truly say I’ve met the most talented, creative people here in Knoxville.

Q- What's one thing you'd encourage other small business owners to do? 

A- Collaborate with other like minded businesses! Owning a small business is gruesome work. And I felt like I was on an island for so long, especially as a mother operating a small business. We are expected to work as if we don’t have kids, while being a mother as if we don’t work. That is a hard balance to strike and one that I fail at often. But my saving grace has been like minded women in business who are kindred spirits to walk alongside. We can do anything together. I believe with my whole heart that we are meant for community for each other and with each other. Personally, and in business. 

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Now, we gladly introduce you to Lara…

Q- Where did the inspiration for your company come from?

A- “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” I, Lara Periut, was a college art student searching for a job. I served at two restaurants until I stumbled into custom framing and have been involved in it ever since. After raising two children until their time was mostly managed by themselves and I found myself with little to occupy mine, an aunt was looking to give her little frame shop to someone in the family. I took that location over two and a half years ago, changed absolutely everything to suit my needs and met many amazing locals in between. I need to point out that about 2 years ago I met Brooke Phillips while on my first child-free-non-framing creative venture on a grand scale: a week long floral and event prep for an elaborate birthday party held at Blackberry Farms. Being grunt workers we didn’t earn much, but sometimes money isn’t the most valuable gift God provides. I learned that I didn’t need to limit my creativity to framing and Brooke’s talents were so inspiring that we absolutely needed to be in each other’s lives. Since then, she has pushed me outside my comfort zone to learn many new things. I have painted, plastered, built and created under her direction and I feel like I wouldn’t be the same person I am today without God planting her firmly in my path. Brooke recently convinced me to uproot my little shop – formerly named Karns Frame & Art but now Studio L - and I am now looking forward to sharing space and inspiration with her and the Help You Dwell crew.

Q- What are your favorite projects to work on?

A- I adore a challenge so my favorite frames to assemble are shadow boxes that require attention to detail, dedication to the process and design so they are visually interesting. Over the years I’ve framed necklaces, antique Victorian purses, full sized Kimono’s, military medals, Roman artifacts, Civil war artifacts, curling tongs from the 1920’s, drum heads, mechanical instruments…so many things can be preserved through custom framing and it intrigues me to figure out how to do just that.

Q- What does "home" mean to you?

A- Anyone can own a house to showcase the newest and finest money can buy, but a home reflects the comforts, creativity, warmth and hospitality of the inhabitants. A home is a safe zone where one can unwind from a busy day and surround themselves with things that they love. Mine is currently a mess, but then dogs and teens aren’t super helpful when it comes to cleaning up!

Q- What is one book / podcast / song / piece of art that has moved you recently? 

A- At a friend’s suggestion, I have been listening to Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged while I work. As an avid reader (or listener as the case may be), the details and literary nuances used to exemplify the authors ideals absolutely boggles my mind! It is easy to empathize with the characters because the values explored by Ayn are parallel to today yet was observed close to a century ago. It proves that there is nothing new in the world today, it’s simply a matter of how we view it. Out of 63 hours of audio, I’m only about 10 hours in so I don’t feel knowledgeable enough to hold an in-depth conversation about the morals of her story, but I will admit that I am in awe of Ayn Rand.

Q- Favorite thing about living in East TN?

A- I was born and raised here in Knoxville, TN and our family Bible documents generations back born within or nearby its boundaries. Where I don’t enjoy the allergies intrinsic to being snuggled in the valley of the mountains, I can’t even imagine living anywhere without those strong arms wrapped around me. The flat places of the world I visit and with McGhee Tyson airport expanding with an international terminal what more could one ask for? In a nutshell, for me Knoxville is where my Dad tills up a huge garden in the spring that feeds way more than our family could ever hope to eat, we live minutes from hikes in Big South Fork that my dog can join us on with breathtaking views at every turn, we have 4 seasons that are mild compared to most, and there are what I call “Twilight Zones” (like Karns where my home is) small enough that everyone knows when their neighbor sneezes yet it’s large enough that I can still find a back road I have never driven on before.

Q- What's one thing you'd encourage other small business owners to do? 

A- Since the industrial age the production of goods have been mechanized and businesses are required only to sell those items in a cold and corporate manner. That’s perfectly fine and I’m not knocking that, but after more than 100 years people are rediscovering the values and imperfections of hand made items with a loop missed here or a chink along the edge of products made in someone’s home. If I am to offer any sort of business advice it would be, “If there is a need, fill it!” Go out and begin to do what you do best, what makes you happy might just be the balm for another in need. The simplest things don’t even require a loan to begin! God has gifted you everything you need and it’s inside you, so take baby steps and the rest will fall into place over time.

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We are so thankful to call these two incredible women our friends.
They are also incredible resources and talent we hope our HYD clients take advantage of!

Say Hello to Kellye

Having watched Help You Dwell grow for the past five years, and now as part of this team, I can tell you that there’s a heartbeat to what we do. Yes, we may pack boxes and organize pantries, but the core of who we are is relational. We know each homeowner has a unique story, and we seek to empower them to navigate seasons of transition well and to organize and order their spaces in a way that reflects who they are.

It’s this beat that brought me to Help You Dwell — it speaks to the core of who I am as a person. If you and I were to look back on the jobs I’ve had since my first at 12-years-old, we would find that there are two distinct attributes that vividly mark my work life:

One, I will always make my work relational.

Whether I’ve been crafting hot lattes, ghost writing a book, speaking to hundreds of high school students, or managing social media accounts, I’ve always asked the question: How can I connect with people here? There is something beautiful about taking a thing that could be very transactional and making it relational. It surprises people. It blesses them. It ushers light and color into a moment that would be dull and grey otherwise. There’s nothing better than that!

I come by this honestly as the fourth born (of seven!) to the single-most relational people I know. My sweet parents, Joe and Mary, daily model what it looks like to really see people, to listen to their stories, and to encourage them. And that’s more important to me in my work life than any particular task I may complete.

My not-so-little family at Thanksgiving this year - My parents, their seven kids and four spouses, and four little grandkids. Family is incredibly important to me.

It’s important in all other areas of my life as well - when hosting women in my home, spending time with my family, writing, and serving my little church family here in Knoxville.

And two, I thrive when I am supporting those around me.

Perhaps it’s because I’m a middle child or it’s just the way God made me, but I’ve found I am aware of and quick to notice others’ needs. That comes in handy when you’re in a supportive role like mine.

As the office manager / jill-of-all-trades at Help You Dwell, my goal is to both support our team in a way that allows them to do their jobs well, and to care for you, our clients, as you work with us.

I may rarely set foot in one of your home’s, but I am caring for you in my own unique ways: creating systems and processes that provide you with a seamless experience, serving as a point of contact as you navigate the work we are doing in your home, caring for our team so the team can, in turn, care for you.

I prefer to organize spreadsheets, invoices, and schedules, but I’ll confess: I do love a good gallery wall in at least one space in my home!

I am pretty lucky. I’ve joined a team that values the two things that are at the core of my work life: relationships and care. I prefer to organize spreadsheets, invoices, and schedules, and I get to do so while nurturing connections and supporting those around me.

As we start a fresh year, I’m thankful to be a fresh face here. I hope to “meet” you over the phone soon, as you schedule your next organizing session or big move. To serve you will be my pleasure!

A different kind of new year's resolution

The new year is often full of new goals, healthier habits, and resolutions. All of those things are good, but we have a different idea in mind for you as the year begins.

What if this year, instead of making your list of top 10 radical life changes, you decide to do one thing?

You decide to practice “waiting”.

Wait on committing to a bunch of new classes, groups, activities, or habits. Wait on that big purchase. Shoot—- wait on the little purchases. Wait before you dive into that new diet or that new habit, and make some time to take inventory.

Set aside an hour to reflect back on your year. Where have you been over the course of 2018? What did you love about it? What did you hate about it? What are you looking forward to, and what are you thankful to leave behind? Take some time to press pause, and give yourself one instruction. Not sure where to begin in that reflecting process?

Wait.

Oftentimes, those hurried decisions, the ones we fail to think through in a moment of new year ambition, actually complicate things. There is so much pressure to solve all of your year’s problems by starting out on the “right foot”. Yes, having a fresh start can be nice, but we encourage you to intentionally enter into that.

Press pause, and take some time to breathe. Rest. Regroup. Take a nap. Process. And after, yes, AFTER you wait, think in terms of intentions rather than resolutions.

Image by Ann Voskamp

Merry Christmas and a great new way to begin 2019!

“We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

We hope your holiday season is full of love, laughter, and peace.

Image by TexturePhoto

As a way to make it easier for you to move forward with getting your home organized, we’ve come up with a new starter package! 2019 is just a few days a way and you are probably still recovering from the hustle of the Christmas season. We would love to help you start your year right, by bringing peace & order to your home and family.

Click on the image above to get the process started!