The Savvy Life

Q. What are the three most important things to remember when redecorating with what you already own?"
Apply the three R's

Rearrange-Analyze the placement of your furniture, decor objects and wall art. Create a natural balanced flow that is more pleasing to the eye.

Repurpose-Use ordinary items in unconventional ways. Assess your clutter issues and design dilemmas. Make your objects work for you instead of the other way around.

Release-We are blessed in America.  We all have an abundance. Ask yourself about your quality of life. Do you have "things" clogging up your world? Be willing to let them go.

Q. Do you have any suggestions for someone who wants to change things up in their space but doesn't know where to begin?

I've noticed the hardest part for most people is to get started.  My advice is to just sit and really think about what you personally want in your room.   It's that easy.   It doesn't have to be an overwhelming or daunting experience. 

Just ask yourself:

• How do I want this room to flow?
• What function does it need to facilitate?
• Do my current color and texture choices reflect what I want?
• Do I like the lines of my current furniture, art or window treatments?

Look through magazines.  Look online.  Go window shopping at your favorite stores.  Maybe even check out a few stores you've never been to.  Reflect before you make any move.  Find an inspiration piece and then build your room around that.  It could be a painting, a piece of furniture, whatever floats your boat.  Try to come to a place where you can release items that are just cluttering up your space.  Only leave items in your room that you enjoy.  Don't hold onto "gifts" that you don't even like out of guilt or fear of hurting someone's feelings.  If the item makes you cringe every time you walk by, it's not worth it.


Q.  I heard Rumor that your friends and neighbors have asked you to help them out as well.  What do you look for when starting a decorating project in someone else's home?

The biggest challenge for me was going into homes where I just wasn't feeling the gum.  In other words, decor that I would never see in my own home.  I had to get over that hurdle.  I felt that I was doing a poor job, design-wise, not using items that were pleasing to my own eyes.  I challenged myself in this area.  I learned a great lesson.  First I learned that ANY decor when placed systematically is easy on the eye.  It's when the alignment and elements are off balance that the human head wants to explode.  Secondly, my heart swelled and my eyes filled when I saw faces smile, families joyful and tension released because of something I did for them.  I have even learned to appreciate the clock made from shellacked Buffalo dung for the whimsical, ice breaking, conversation piece that it surely is!

When someone asks me to help them decorate, rearrange or organize their space, I start by asking lots of questions.  What do you want to have this space function as, i.e. a guest room or craft room?  Should it be adult or family friendly?  Then I ask them to pile all the pieces of furniture and decor that they KNOW they want in the space in the center of the room.  As they are talking and piling I am taking notes, measurements and drawing - sometimes literally, sometimes mentally.  These exercises insure that the home owner is reflected in the home, not me.   I also like to stand in each corner of the room and evaluate it from every perspective.  This tells me where there is a natural, pleasing flow and where there is an interruption to the eye.   

Collections present an interesting situation.   They can be difficult and sometimes impossible to place.  I have found it challenging to convince people to release some of their items.   The usual solution is to box some up.  They can be over whelming. 

I deal with collections on an individual basis.  For instance I have a friend who has two extensive collections of antique salt and pepper shakers passed down from her grandmother, and crosses in every shape and size.  The salt and pepper shakers are very small, so I suggested placing several sets together on each shelf, in each corner in her china hutch.  They are safely displayed (she has three kids, two big dogs and a cat).   Collectively, they make a statement.  They are clumped which gives tiny objects a much more grand presence.  For the crosses, she requested at least one be represented in each room in her house.   I studied the architecture, color and patterns happening in each space.  These elements indicated where I placed each cross.  A haphazard display of any collection is a big no-no.

Q.  Do you ever run into clutter problems when working in other peoples homes? If so, how do you handle it?

Clutter is an issue for everyone.  I have never met someone who doesn't include eliminating clutter on the list of desired improvements.  For most people they don't want to release anything they own.   They just want me to make it look like they did...for free.  Therefore I am very nosy when checking out homes.  I will look in closets, drawers, the back yard, garage, kitchen cabinets and pantry...you name it! I call this, "shopping in your own home".  I am quoted often for saying, "Let's go shopping" or "You need to go shopping".  It is understood that I mean "Let's find a way to repurpose what is sitting right under your nose". 

I have repurposed a junk filled-catch all dresser in a dining room and used it as a buffet.  I have used Tupperware for organizing Legos, Barbie accessories, sewing items, tools - you name it!  I have used serving trays as wall art, which has cleared up needed cabinet space as well as filled an empty wall.  The biggest role I play is a fresh set of eyes looking at all the "stuff" that has become mundane, dull and lifeless.  By repurposing their usage, items become rejuvenated and inspiring.


Q.  Are there certain elements that you think every room should have?

Proper lighting both natural and artificial if possible.  Balance your "things".  Make certain you can easily walk in your room with out bumping into bookcases or an ottoman.  If you love some giant wild painting, then use it.  Just let everything else fade into the background or you will overwhelm your room.  Be aware of large dominating furniture.  Other than that, I have learned, anything goes!

Q.  How did you discover your knack for decorating your home with the items you already have?

I have the habit of analyzing every space I enter.  I take it all in and as soon as I leave I begin making plans.  I grab a piece of scratch paper or a napkin, I draw the whole floor plan and I redesign the whole place.  Little by little I became aware not only that I was doing this, but that no one else around me was.  By this activity I've noticed many common pitfalls in clutter issues as well as architectural placement flaws.   Meanwhile I went about my own home decorating and making due with my pass-me-downs.  I've painted and sanded and re-stained.  Most everyone that has entered my home has made comments about my sophisticated taste in decor.  When we had help moving our pass-me-down pieces into our home, we heard lots of jokes about our "junk".  These same people in turn have since seen our house "all put together" and commented on all the money I must have poured into the place since moving in.  No one recognized they were looking at all the same "junk" they helped carry in.

As I began to listen to others complain about their clutter issues and decor dilemmas, I realized I had solutions.  I had lots of ideas bursting forth.   I had this store house in my mind.  I was apprehensive in sharing, kind of like a lawn mower that just won't start.  When I finally did open my mouth-that was it!  I was off!   

Q.  When you do shop for your home, what are your favorite stores or websites?

I love the Home Goods Store.  Here you can find any take on any decor you fancy.  The prices are awesome! I also really like Cost Plus. 

For online or catalog shopping I like Home Decorators Collection.  And though I can't afford much in their catalog, I love Crate and Barrel.  I do get plenty of design ideas I can implement on my own.  I also find inspiration through Home magazine.

Charity Vincent lives in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains with her husband, her two boys and a much loved menagerie of animals.