Christmas Cleanup Tips for the Not Naturally Organized

Dreading the post holiday chores?

First let yourself unwind!

Then grab some boxes, a few supplies and this easy guide!

 Cleanup? I finally got my feet up! Let’s face it: After all the time and work we’ve put in to making the holidays, the last thing anyone wants to do is clean it all up.

If that resonated with you, you are probably Not Naturally Organized and this is just the holiday version of the core issue that divides the Naturally and Not Naturally Organized: now or later. While we, the Not Naturally Organized, want to finally relax and maybe think about cleaning up someday, our Naturally Organized brothers and sisters are twitch, twitch, twitching to haul it all away today.But what about savoring the beauty? I’m with you completely … until February when your tree is moldering in the corner of your living room. Who wants that? Go ahead and relax; whenever you decide to tackle the mess, here are a few tips to make the process as easy as can be.

Take pictures

Before you tear everything apart, take some quick pictures of all of your decorations. I did this last year, and these were my reference when I pulled out the boxes this year. I made a few small changes, but this gave me an easy start.

Be sure to take close-ups to see the details.

Separate the non-breakables

This is my biggest time saver and how I start on the tree. I remove the non-breakable ornaments and lay them in their box. I don’t bother removing the hooks, and with a few exceptions they don’t get tangled. I began doing this to save space on the divided boxes but found it saved me so much time. Bonus!

Break it down into categories

In addition to non-breakable and fragile ornaments, I have boxes for trees, books, lights and miscellaneous larger items like snow globes and the Advent calendar.

With the trees I set the large ones on the bottom and carefully stack the others. The glass or pottery trees I wrap in tissue and securely place in the middle.

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Ornament Keeper Ornament Storage Box – $61.99

This is a very nice box, but inexpensive plastic ones work just fine.

Buy the right supplies

In my family growing up, taking down the tree was as much a part of the tradition as setting it up. My siblings and I were responsible for packing up our personal ornaments, and I carefully wrapped each one in tissue. When I had my own tree with hundreds of ornaments, I dreaded putting them away every year until I finally bought a slew of boxes with dividers.

After the non-breakable ornaments, I remove the fragile ones. If an ornament is precious to me, I’ll take time to wrap it in tissue, but most of them I set in their little cardboard cradles. I’ve never had an ornament break in storage.

This is a really good time to cull the ornaments you don’t love or use. If it’s sitting in the bottom of your boxes when you take down the tree, there’s a reason. I always have a bag for Goodwill at hand.

All season long I have a big basket of our Christmas books by the tree. Every night youngest and I read several titles — a favorite tradition. Storing the books is as simple as emptying the basket into their labeled box. A non-breakable tree or two is often stacked on top.

Make a note

This is one of my miscellaneous boxes. Here I’ve created an inventory for this box: nativities, Advent calendar, snow globes, wreaths, luminaries, lights for the tree.

Under that is a second note and a reminder that we needed to buy two more strands of lights. I was glad to have this when we opened the boxes and before I hung the lights on our tree.

What do you need or want to buy before next Christmas? Take note and write it down.

Get help at the end

I work alone stripping the tree. I’m able to move quickly without breaking anything. When all of the ornaments are boxed, I ask one or two members of my family to haul them down to storage.

Although this looks like mayhem, it’s really only some cardboard, a few boxes, a bit of paper and tissue, and some greenery. This is when I want to throw in the towel, but I make myself keep going. Once I’ve recycled, thrown away or put away everything outstanding, my husband and son haul the tree out and tie it back on the van to take to a local park for recycling. I sweep and vacuum everywhere, but we’ll still see needles here and there for weeks.

Special Thanks to:

Alison Hodgson

Houzz Contributor

Visit our HOUZZ site at

http://www.houzz.com/pro/marthabrown

Merry Christmas From Homes on Houzz

Catch a glimpse of homes dressed up to celebrate the yuletide, each in their own individual way

The holiday is here, and you’ve done whatever decorating you were going to do. Now’s the time to sit back and enjoy the day. Join us in the passenger seat on a virtual holiday drive through the extended Houzz neighborhood.

Poinsettias, backyard cedar and holly warm a cottage entry.

A dusting of snow turns a classic porch into a postcard.

Luminarias light the way in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

A cow skull and garlands made of free scraps from the tree lot transform a Dallas entry.

A Christmas tree on the porch says “Happy Holidays” to the neighborhood.

Even Frank Lloyd Wright’s house celebrates the day with handmade decorations and greenery.

See inside Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic house and studio

This New York porch creates its own starry night.

A large-scale wreath looks luxe against lilac siding.

Every welcoming entry needs its greeter.

Ribbon-trimmed Christmas trees and a garland create a grand entrance to the historicDeGolyer House in Dallas.

His work done for the year, Santa takes in a Boston view.

Each Christmas a California family decorates their trellis gate with a wood plaque printed with words from a popular seasonal song.

Crisp white: the classic background for forest greens.

A wreath of dried citrus, berries, pinecones and faux fruits byBattenfeld Christmas Tree Farmgreets visitors at the entry to theWilderstein House in New York

A pair of skis offers a graphical anchor for greens and a luxurious bow.

A skate filled with cuttings is one of the simplest high-impact decorations you can make.

Symmetrical wreaths and topiaries suit a jewel-toned exterior in Rhinebeck, New York.

A 100-year-old iron gate adorned with a wreath designed by Marisa Lyssand opens up to a traditional-style home in Atherton, California.

A bright bow lights the way to the Village Hall in Millbrook, New York.

A red door definitely has its day on Christmas. The window on this one offers a peek at an indoor tree’s twinkling lights.

In Boston, oversize pinecones and a red ribbon fill a front window.

Wreaths hung at railing level combine with garlands for an elegantly simple holiday house.

Silver baubles transform a year-round topiary in Boston.

This home’s large pillars create a dramatic look wrapped in lush boughs of evergreens and oversize red ornaments.

Multiple wreaths get the whole home involved.

Greenery involves the whole yard in the festivities.

Faux garlands and loads of shine turn black doors into a party.

Snowy white architectural details frame an entry decorated with greens, pods and berries.

Oversize real wreaths make an impact in New York.

The perfect pairing of wreath and urn puts a festive flourish on a traditional holiday entry.

Apple green and blue bring updated color to a traditional porch.

Lush greens and a simple bow are all that’s needed against a door that already has turquoise and lace going for it.

Jingle bells on bare trees and oversize ornaments on the porch create a joyful scene at this rehabbed 1870s Victorian in Philadelphia.

A wreath and jingle bells wink from a New York porch.

Bells, berries and branches deck an entry in Ottawa, Ontario.

Silver ornaments on a wreath of greens add sparkle to a classic brick exterior.

A basket on a traditional picket fence provides a pretty resting place for an armful of pinecones.

Two wreaths punctuate a series of doorways.

A wreath and eyebrow garland frame an offset peekaboo window.

The classic shapes of tree and swag strike a perfect balance in this entryway vignette.

A bare fruit tree in New York dresses up for the holidays.

Garlands and window box–style greens drape a home in cozy.

On this traditional porch, wreaths keep the rocking chairs company until it’s time to watch the leaves come back.

Classic Christmas style inspired the designer who dressed up this California house for a holiday home tour.

A clematis vine adds its natural greenery to a 1930s Stratton Blue–painted door in Greensboro, North Carolina.

A winter container arrangement helps light up the dormant season.

When the trees go bare, this fence goes green.

Dream to Done: How to Build a Renovation Plan to Match Your Budget

Work with pros to make sure your renovation hopes and dollars line up

 As a client, you may feel like you have little influence over whether your remodeling project stays on budget and hits the finish line on time. But you have more control than you might think. Remember, the scope of your project and the specific materials are up to you.

The key to keeping a project on budget and on schedule is nailing down the details before ground breaks. If you’ve never renovated or built a new home, you may not be sure about how the seed of an idea turns into a completed project. Here’s a road map for two early steps: putting together your renovation team and nailing down your project’s cost.

Who Will Help You Build Your Vision?

Before you meet with a professional, you should know what you want to accomplish. Is your goal to tear out your entire kitchen and start fresh? Or are you looking for less costly upgrades, perhaps replacing cabinet fronts and a tired backsplash? Or do you want to remodel your whole house?

Some homeowners know only that the current home isn’t working for them but aren’t sure how to fix it. If you are in this group, you may decide to work with professionals who can help you develop a plan and advise you on cost. A recent survey showed that 85 percent of Houzzers who renovated in 2015 did so with professional help. The survey covered 120,000 registered Houzz users, including 70,000 who renovated.

What Exactly Do Pros Do?

The most important documents you will need are the construction plans. Your building plans must be approved by an agency to make sure the home is safe and meets local codes. So unless you are familiar with building codes and construction methods, you will want to hire a professional to draft these plans. Rules for which pros can draft plans vary by state (and in some states by county or municipality) and with the size and type of project. Look to the local building department or the professionals you contact to explain the rules in your area.

Each profession has its special emphasis. Architects and interior designers create concepts and draw plans. General contractors build the plans. Landscape architectscreate designs and plans for outdoor spaces. Design-build firms offer both design and building services, some with in-house architects, others by contracting the design work out.

Houzz guides to home improvement pros

Houzzers who remodeled in 2015 said the most valuable contributions of general contractors and design-build firms were delivering a quality result, finding the right products and materials, staying on budget and managing the project.

Architects, interior designers, and kitchen and bath designers were appreciated for helping clients integrate their personal style into the design. Houzzers valued architects for understanding and complying with local building codes, and interior designers for finding the right products or materials. But these are only their most-appreciated contributions; each profession has a wide range of skills and resources to offer owners.

Ask About Options

Many pros offer a range of services, from initial design to project management, which may be priced as menu options or charged at per-hour rates. For just one example, architects can provide evaluation and planning services, which can involve site analysis and selection, economic feasibility studies and helping you determine what you want, need and are willing to pay for.

Architecture firms offer design services, including documents that define the space’s shape, and they may work closely with engineers as needed in relationship to the structural elements. They also may offer construction management services, involving consulting and coordinating with the various agencies overseeing your project, or manage the bidding process when you search for the right contractor. These are just a handful of the services your architect may provide, so it is worth asking about pricing and what is involved as you shop around. This AIA guide can be helpful. Also, there could be some overlap in the menus of services provided by the different pros, so be sure that you are clear on what you need and what services each will perform.

Even if you are not planning to hire a professional to design or manage your renovation, you may want to hire a pro on a per-hour basis to help you refine your ideas. “A small percentage of upfront money with a professional can really help clarify the scope of the project and the budget before you get too involved,” says John Firmin, general contractor at Build-A-Home Inc., in Fayetteville, Arkansas, who founded the firm 16 years ago.

Select Your First Team Member

When hiring your first design team member, you can start with a builder, architect, designer, design-build firm or remodeler, depending on your needs and priorities. If you already know a contractor whose work you like, he or she will probably have a list of architects and interior designers to recommend. That is also true if you start with other pros. You also can use Houzz’s directory to find individual professionals, see their past projects and read client reviews.

Narrow your list down to your favorites and then interview a few people. Ask for — and check — references, and drive out to see past projects. Also, see how it might feel to work together — make sure you have a rapport with the professional. You should find out whether they listen and whether they are good communicators, says Jon Dick, an architect with Archaeo Architects in Santa Fe, New Mexico, who has been practicing 30 years and worked on more than 100 homes. “Their design ability is very important,” Dick says. “But it’s also a long-term relationship. They’re going to ask pretty personal questions and know a fair amount about you.”

You should follow this same basic process with an interior designer, landscape architect, general contractor or design-build firm. Keep in mind that the average kitchen remodeltakes about five months once construction starts, but three times that long from initial design phase to completion, according to a recent Houzz survey. So the professionals you hire should be people you like and can communicate with.

Whether to Hire One Pro — or More

Which pros and how many you hire is up to you. Among Houzzers who hired pros for their renovation projects last year, nearly half hired a general contractor, builder, kitchen or bath remodeler, or design-build firm — the professionals who actually build the project. About 20 percent employed an architect, interior designer or kitchen and bath designer.

A recent Houzz survey found that 2015 home buyers spent $66,600 on renovations, while would-be 2016 home sellers spent $36,300 on renovations.

Be Up Front About Your Number

It’s helpful to be honest about your budget with the professionals you contact. Pros typically work with clients whose budgets are within a certain range. (Sometimes a pro’s range can be found on his or her Houzz profile.) If you fall in love with a pro whose projects start at $50,000, but you have $5,000 to spend, you’re probably not a match. Some homeowners pay a high-end designer to create the initial plan, only to realize that the products and materials suggested are out of range.

Homeowners without constrained budgets may be afraid to be too forthcoming for fear that pros will push them to spend more than they would like. That’s where checking references and finding people you can communicate with comes in. In the process of vetting the pros you are considering, you will find reputable people who will not push you but use your target number to help guide your plan.

Some Averages to Go On

If you have never renovated or built a home, you may have no idea how much it’s going to cost. To give you a sense of average budgets, here are some recent stats: People renovating kitchens had budgets ranging from less than $5,000 to more than $100,000, according to a survey of nearly 2,500 owners conducted by Houzz. One-quarter of renovators had budgets of $25,001 to $50,000, while 20 percent had budgets of $15,001 to $25,000. Only 10 percent had budgets of $5,000 or less, and only 6 percent had budgets of more than $100,000. The range of figures here is national; it should be noted that renovation costs vary by region and even city.

That said, not everyone stays on budget — and that’s true regardless of geography. Only about one-third of Houzzers who renovated last year stayed on budget, while just 3 percent came in below budget. Another third exceeded their budgets, while the remaining third had no initial budget at all. Among those who exceeded their budgets, the top reason was selecting nicer finishes or materials.

Major kitchen renovations cost an average of $50,700 for spaces 200 square feet or larger, while major renos in smaller kitchens cost about half that, according to Houzz data. A major kitchen renovation includes at least replacing cabinets and appliances. Major master bathroom renovations cost an average $25,600 in rooms at least 100 square feet and about half that for smaller bathrooms. A major bath renovation includes at least replacing the vanity or cabinets and countertops and toilet. Doing it yourself, of course, is less costly.

Special Thanks to Erin Carlyle a HOUZZ Contributor

Christmas Tables They’ll Always Remember

Holiday Decorating: Make Your Gathering Special With a Beautiful Table Setting

One of the best parts about celebrating any holiday is gathering with friends and family around the table for dinner. Holidays meals are special because they are often one of the few times everyone is home and together again. Make those events feel even more special by setting a beautiful table. Here’s some wonderful inspiration to help you plan your holiday dinners.

Before you even get close to this table, the sweet scent of narcissus will draw you in. The silver and white speak of elegance, and you can’t wait to get closer for a better look.

White narcissus are beautiful in a holiday centerpiece. Besides their heavenly scent, they remind us to hang tight through the cold winter because the promise of spring is just around the corner.

This is the perfect tablescape if your budget is feeling a bit stretched. You can usually find very affordable, 4 inch pots of narcissus in most garden or big box hardware stores. Shop the discount stores for white candles and spray paint a few pine cones silver, and your centerpiece is complete.

Recently I had the opportunity to tour this year’s Southern Living Idea House in Senoia, Georgia. This is a view of the dining room.

The dining table was dressed for a holiday dinner. Though this place setting was incomplete, lacking flatware and a napkin, I loved the simplicity of the curled ribbon with a little ornament placed atop the salad plate.

The kitchen table also showcased a lovely holiday tablescape in muted colors of green, brown and cream. All the centerpieces and mantels were dressed with fresh greenery. This centerpiece even contained clove-studded oranges.

At Christmastime you can never go wrong with the traditional colors of green and red. Every holiday table needs a special centerpiece. Don’t have anything blooming in the yard at this time of year? No problem! A few pretty wrapped presents will set the mood for your holiday table.

If red and green isn’t what you had in mind, consider a frosty winter table setting. Pull out your white china and combine it with silver chargers, lacy or open cutwork place mats and your best stemware for a table they’ll be talking about until next Christmas.

Soft blues and aquas are really popular right now, and combined with white, it really creates a beautiful table setting.

I especially like how the soft blues are evident in the centerpiece, trees and even the napkin rings.

Tip: If your table is cozy and space is at a premium, place your napkin across the center of your bowl or salad plate.

Narcissus also work great combined with the color red for a holiday table setting. Add a little candlelight, some luscious, red pomegranates in a wicker basket, and you’re all set for your holiday dinner.

Tip: Don’t worry if you don’t have a fancy tablecloth. Mix and match your holiday colored place mats for a look that’s cozy and casual.

Silver combined with almost any color feels festive and just right for a holiday table setting. Here’s another great idea for a simple, inexpensive centerpiece. Silver ornaments grouped on a silver tray feel elegant and sophisticated.

The colors gold and red combined with a natural or woodsy centerpiece are perfect for a Christmas table setting.

If you’d like to give your guests a little gift with which to remember the evening, consider a pretty ornament for each place setting. This beaded ornament perfectly highlights the gorgeous beaded tablecloth.

Do you have a favorite color combination for holiday dinners? Or an idea for an easy, budget-friendly centerpiece?

Popular Design Trends to Carry Into the New Year

Now that you’ve gotten your feet completely immersed in 2016 and had time to recuperate from the holidays, you might be eager to tackle your New Year’s design resolutions for your home. Whatever those may be, you can start by looking back at trends from the last few years and see which ones are holding up well. As a designer, I’m always trying new things, but I also like to check in with my past clients to find out what’s still working for them. Here are some recent trends I’ve used in clients’ homes that are still making them smile and should continue to for years to come.

Graphic tiles

This is a trend that may pass eventually, but probably not anytime soon. Graphic tiles make a big statement and hearken back to the midcentury, when tiles embraced color and pattern. Try to find something you feel you can live with for a long time, as tiles are quite durable. Think of it as art. It’s an investment that will grace your walls for years to come.

Sectional sofas

 This trend is here to stay. Today, people are designing their spaces to be used. The formal living room is mostly a thing of the past in many homes, and creating spaces where you can hang out with friends and family in a comfortable manner as opposed to a formal one seems to be the way to go.

Reclaimed materials

 I really hope this trend sticks around forever. I love that designers are finding ways to minimize waste and turn old, worn materials into things of beauty.

Black window frames

 What better way to bring attention to one of the most important things in your house than with a dark, bold frame? The natural light coming into your house is essential. If there’s a view that goes along with that natural light, accentuate it with a bold black window frame.

Statement light fixtures

I view light fixtures as art. It’s one of those items I encourage my clients to splurge on. You can have the most simple space, but if you put an amazing light fixture in it, you automatically boost the room’s atmosphere and presence.

Discover these sensational chandeliers

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Stairs as a focal point

Stairs take you up or down from one floor to another. But when stairs are transformed into a design focal point, beyond merely a mode of transportation, then you lift your renovation to the next level.

Open and airy

This has to be the No. 1 request I get these days. Every one of my clients asks for their spaces to be opened up. Today’s families tend to be incredibly busy, and multitasking is the norm. Having clear views of what’s going on in your home from anywhere in the house makes sense.

No formal dining room

 Just as the formal living room is a thing of the past for many, the formal dining room is also going the way of the dinosaurs. People are starting to realize that pleasures are not experiences that should occur occasionally, but rather should be part of everyday life.

Minimal design

We could have a debate about minimal design for years to come, but at the end of the day, this is a trend that makes sense for healthy living. Creating a space that’s free of clutter and ornate decor means a space that’s easier to focus in, easier to clean and easier to move through.