So, we are in the final stretch of summer (sigh) and this is the time of year that I start thinking about how I can stay organized for the school year.  Juggling the things that kids need for school, sports and activities can be a challenge. Here are some of my best tips and strategies to keep things in order.

1. Purge.  I have heard two rules that stick with me…one is that if something new comes into your home, something should go out.  I can’t say I adhere to this 100%, but I try! The other rule is that every month you could find 3-5 things in each room to throw away or donate.  Try it, you might surprise yourself!
2. Backpack/family command station. Even if you don’t have a fabulous mudroom, you can still create an organized area for the kids to put their shoes, backpacks, etc.
   

   Image Credit: Remax Quebec

3. 15 minutes. Commit to 15 minutes a day and set an alarm on your phone. Each day spend 15 minutes on something…the junk drawer, the medicine cabinet, kid’s drawers, etc.
4. Dry Erase board. In our home, I use a weekly dry erase board and outline the big events for the week. Kids like to know whats coming up..and it even helps my husand to know which night I am going out with my girlfriends, when the kids have soccer practice, birthday parties, etc.
   

   Photo courtesy of Hobby Lobby

5. Homework caddy. Keep a little bin filled with sharpened pencils, erasers, crayons, glue sticks and a ruler. Keep it in a central location and pull it out at homework time. Trays are a great way to organize items on a coffee or side table (remotes, magazines, coasters, etc.)
6. Hooks instead of shelves. Carefully placed hooks in your bathroom, closet and kid’s rooms can make all the difference.
7. Labeling. It’s great to label items so you can easily find things. There are tons of options, like the cute chalkboard labels below or you can use a labelmaker. There are also tons of cute and free printable labels on Pinterest.
   

   Image Credit: Mrs. Meyers

8. Donate Regularly. Put a big plastic bin in each closet marked “donations”. Go through the closets regularly to find items that don’t fit or are not worn. When the bin is full, its off to Goodwill.
9. One Year Rule. Go through your closet each quarter and be strict about what you get rid of.  If it is not something you have worn in a year, out it goes!
10. Tabletops Clear. Feng Shui rules say it is important to clear table tops on a regular basis. I agree! When we come home we tend to throw our keys, purse, etc. onto the closest table top and things accumulate quickly.  Try to keep your table tops tidy and clear them periodically throughout the day.

An organized home will make your life feel more harmonious in all areas, it really works!

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Recently my family took a somewhat relaxing (two youngsters in tow) staycation to one of our favorite local hotels, The Breakers on Palm Beach. It occurred to me while we were there that if I wanted to create the vibe of one of the most lavishly decorated hotels in the area, I could do that — for less! Why not? When a girl sets her mind to a Luis Vuitton on a Target budget… she will find a way (if she’s determined enough).

We stayed at the Flagler Club which is a hotel within the hotel at The Breakers. It’s all very confusing, but Florida residents can stay at local hotels at a discount during the off season. And voila! We had butler service on a budget. One of the main rooms in the Flagler was decorated in a chic and transitional style. It was the base camp for most of our activities since there was regular food and drinks available (as well as TVs, plug-ins for iPads and comfortable seating).

If you are inspired by this room like I was, here is how you can create an upscale hotel living room in your own home!

Shimmer Wallpaper // Table Lamps

Tribeca Sofa // Wyatt End Table

Wyatt Coffee Table // Accent Chair

Tree Branch Rug //Textured Canvas Art

The right light fixture is so crucial to the decor in a room.  I think of light fixtures as works of art.  When choosing fixtures for my designs, I think about balance in the room, as well as what type of lighting the space requires.  Will the fixture be providing accent lighting, ambiance lighting, or will it primarily be decorative?   I also think about the entire home and choose accordingly. The light fixtures throughout do not need to match, but there needs to be some relationship…similar shapes or finishes.

Here are a few examples of light fixtures that could certainly transform a space:

Zanadoo Pendant by Arteriors

Copper Shade Pendants by Tom Dixon

Wall sconce by Jonathan Adler

Beat Light cluster by Tom Dixon Photo by Take Over Time

Frankfort Articulating Wall Light by Circa

Ezra Table Lamp by Dwell Studio

Ozzy Gold Lamp by Lulu & Georgia

Rowan Pendant by Ebb & Flow

Some people say the kitchen is the heart of the home, but the dining room should get some love, too.  We use ours for family dinners, dinner parties and even casual gatherings with friends and extended family. I have so many great memories of people I love gathered around our dining room table.  It used to be that the dining room was a room that was rarely used, maybe just once or twice a year for Thanksgiving.   Now, thanks to open floor plans, dining rooms are often used daily.   The key to dining room decor is to think practical and comfortable, not stuffy and overly formal. Below are five of my favorite dining room designs.

Sometimes it is hard to find the right piece of art for a large wall in a dining room.  In the photos below, I enlisted the help of a local artist to create custom artwork for the room.

Anyone who has kids knows how crazy it can be getting them organized for school or camp…backpacks, shoes, socks, notebooks, you name it. As a mom I fantasize about the perfect mud room and I’m sure I am not alone. So, what exactly is a mudroom? A mudroom is defined as a small room or entryway where footwear and outerwear can be removed before entering a house.  Ideally, it would have shelves or cubbies for member of the household (or at least the kids!)

I have designed a few of these and the room can still reflect the style of your home…it can be modern and functional. Everything can be customizable to your needs.  I love seeing the reactions of the moms when these rooms are completed!  It’s sad, but sometimes the mudroom is a favorite.   Thinking of doing one in your home?

You can revamp your laundry room, garage or even a small nook near one of your entry ways.   I am about to make a powder bath smaller so I can create a modern mudroom that I adore in my own home. Even in Florida we need a staging area for all our daily stuff. Stay tuned while I post images of my own renovation.

In the meantime, here are some inspirational spaces, courtesy of Pinterest:

Photo courtesy of Cote De Texas

photo courtesy of Custom Made

photo courtesy of Houseplans, LLC

 

photo courtesy of Tiny White Daisies

photo courtesy of Lumberjocks

Guests are always fun at first thought. We often can’t wait for them to arrive. Then the days of schedule disruption, picky eaters, and entertaining to no avail – I’m just being real here – can get old fast. But, the preparation is only fun. I am in the midst of designing a guest room in my house that feels like a high end hotel. Mostly because when my husband snores (which is almost every night) I have an escape. It’s truly selfish but the intention is good — guests should feel welcome and at home. Mi casa es su casa! Here are some tips for creating an inviting guest room.

Pillows, pillows, pillows: One of the things I love about traveling is interesting bedding. I love to feel and experience new fabrics and patterns. I also love when I see fabrics that I’ve used in my own designs. That is a super design validation for me. I was recently at the Orlando Four Seasons and they used the Fortuny fabrics I used in this home. I was so excited and felt right at home. So load up on cool throw pillows… layer, layer, layer!

Interior Design by Krista Watterworth Alterman

Baby Light My Fire: I think a fireplace adds a certain type of warmth and sex appeal to any room, especially a bedroom. Most people don’t have a fireplace in a bedroom at home, so doing a fireplace like this EcoSmart bioethanol (no vent needed) fireplace is a very cool idea.

Wallpaper is Where It’s At: Below I used a textured shagreen wallpaper that is easy on the eyes yet subtly dimensional.

Fun Objects: Use accessories and artwork that you may not otherwise use in other rooms. Be a little more daring. Remember this is a retreat and people should feel like they are in a cool, interesting “home away from home”.

Overall a guest room should be eclectic – a departure from everyday life. Think about what you want when you’re traveling. I like to see things I don’t normally see. I like to be inspired. I definitely like to be comfortable. But I want to walk into a room and say ‘wow’ out loud.