Right after we pulled this client's jewelry out of her drawers, closet, and boxes, she told me that she had owned her jewelry box since she was a little girl (impressive!) and it was time to let it go. This left us with nowhere to place her treasured items after we had tidied them. I suggested finding something that could stand in as a temporary jewelry tree, at least until she found something she really liked. We searched the house and found a tarnished tea service buried in her pantry. We both got really excited - she loved this tea service but didn't use it anymore, and after it was polished it would showcase her jewelry perfectly! Behold, the finished result. Now that the client can see her accessories every time she walks into her room, she says she wears and enjoys them far more often. Beloved tea service on display + unearthed jewelry = a big boost in joy!

Before we started, this wall contained a few scattered pictures but was otherwise blank. The room served as an office/storage area/2nd bedroom for over a decade and the client just couldn't get excited about it. Her passion could, however, be found elsewhere: in bags of travel clippings that she enjoyed collecting but never reviewed. I used my trades discount at the Container Store to purchase a bulletin board that could display things that inspire her, such as recipes, places she wants to visit, and photos. We also bought the above thumbtacks, which compliment her sense of adventure.

Although we weren't planning on decorating her whole wall, after we hung the board we figured "why not?" and started having fun putting her framed pictures around it, half of which had been in storage. The result left us both breathless. Now her past is beautifully surrounding her future, and beneath it all is a collection of toys for her grandchildren to play with. Talk about a happy wall!

A family of four asked me to help them create a home that "functioned more like a spacecraft," meaning streamlined and efficient with attractive details. Together we reduced their items to only those that give them joy, and transformed this home into a friendly place that highlights their interests without sacrificing function.

We did not break the bank in the process: the only new item that you see below is the red couch. Everything else, including the storage solutions, were already among their possessions.