MAY 2023
Hello, organizing clients and friends!

Since starting my business six years ago, I've worked in 310 homes for 3,800+ hours. I so appreciate your support, especially through the pandemic.

In previous newsletters, I've written that clients often hire me because they are going through a major life change and need their surroundings to support and reflect their new realities.

This is true for me too. Over the last four years, I've gone through life changes including my husband's decline and death, navigating health and hospice care for two other family members, and my son leaving for college -- all while being the sole wage earner for my family. (Still haven't gotten Covid, though! Yet.)

Especially now, I need my home to be comfortable, beautiful, restful, and personalized. Below are photos of my little 1946 West Seattle house as I've changed my own surroundings to support and reflect my new realities.
My living & dining rooms
In adapting to my 'new normal,' I wanted less stuff and more space. (Sound familiar?)

In the living and dining rooms, I let go of five pieces of furniture (not pictured): a bigger couch, two armchairs, an entrance table, and a tall antique cabinet. I replaced those with three new pieces: a ridiculously comfortable Restoration Hardware 'Cloud' couch and ottoman, and West Elm lounge chair.

Rather than add in more furniture or stuff, I instead enhanced the structural elements of floors and walls: refinished wood floors, glass mosaic tile on the fireplace hearth, wall color (Sherwin Williams' 'Stardew'), abstract paintings by Larry Buehler, encaustics by Jane Michalski, and architectural salvage via Etsy.

I also enhanced sensory elements: texture via a velvet throw blanket and soft rug; scent via Santa Maria Novella potpourri; music through a Bluetooth Klipsch speaker; and natural elements by bringing in greenery and flowers in spring and summer, then candlelight and firelight in fall and winter.
My kitchen
My years of slinging out three meals a day for my kid are over, so I wanted a little kitchen just for me.

I replaced a big stove and refrigerator with smaller versions and had the original upper cabinets torn out. I had the walls painted with Benjamin Moore's 'Burnt Peanut Red' and trim in 'Simply White', the cabinets with Nuvo Black Deco cabinet kit, and the walls tiled with Merola 'Kings Star'.

I think of hardware as jewelry for the house. My doorknobs, drawer pulls, and overhead light fixtures are from Rejuvenation, and cast iron brackets for the reclaimed wood shelves from Etsy.
My office & craft room
Now that my son has his own apartment, I converted his childhood bedroom into an office/craft room with a standing desk, glass chair mat, Rejuvenation floating shelves, and scent via Jo Malone lime basil & mandarin diffuser.

This is where I make scrapbooks, shadow boxes, and treasure boxes incorporating photos, letters, journal entries, keepsakes, and ephemera. These are how I remember and honor my history, family, and many happy memories.
Clearly, I love my home! This is also why I love my job: It's a pleasure to help you to declutter, organize, and decorate to create spaces that embody and reflect your own unique aesthetic, preferences, and history.
Ready to schedule an organizing session?

Happy to help! I'm currently booking for June, but keep a waitlist if you need an earlier date.

Returning clients text 206-932-2939 or email lisajoholtby@gmail.com.

New clients, please schedule a (free) consult call via my online scheduler.

More 'before & after' photos, FAQs, how-to videos, and podcast interviews are on my website lisaholtby.com.

Read what clients say about my work: I'm so proud to have 85 five-star reviews.

It is a privilege to be welcomed into your homes. Thank you for inviting me!
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