Frequently Asked Questions - Decluttering & Organising
I'd feel embarrassed to have anyone come to my home and see the mess.
It's only natural. Your cluttered habitat doesn't show you at your best. But this is my job. I've seen it all before – some of it undoubtedly much worse than yours is. The worse it is, the better I like it – and the more dramatic the results you'll see when we've finished.
Will you bully me into getting rid of my treasures?
Not at all! Respect for my clients is a foundation principle of my business. It's your life and your stuff. I won't push you harder than you're willing to go. You are the one who will determine what's important to you, and what you choose to keep.
By getting someone in to help, it feels as though I'm admitting defeat.
With the increasing demands of life, we're all being forced into operating at a higher level – working longer, harder, and smarter. Working smarter includes delegating or getting help with the things we're not good at; the tasks we don't enjoy; and those that aren't the very best use of our time. Clearing the clutter may well be one of these for you. If you focus on the outcome (a clean, tidy, organised space), then getting help to quickly clear your clutter is an obvious stepping-stone to your success.
Why should I pay someone to come and help with something I could do myself?
Doing it yourself is one alternative – if that works for you, great! If you work well alone… If you can stick with it… If you have time. If you have energy left for it after all your other work is done. If you can wait for weeks, months, or even years to get the improvement you want. Overseas, busy people are increasingly turning to professional organisers for help, so that they can use their precious free time on something more enjoyable. How soon do you want the results?
I'm not a disorganised person – I just need some help – another pair of hands.
That's fine – I'm happy to work with you to get back in control of your life and your space. Contact me!
How long will it take?
Because each case is different, I make no promises as to what we will be able to achieve in a day. I do work diligently to get your space as organised as possible in the time we have together. There are many variables that affect the length of time – the nature and extent of the clutter, what needs to be done, the amount of storage available, and your speed at making decisions. Because paperwork is more labour-intensive, home offices typically take a full day. Other rooms are generally faster, so we may be able to complete two, three, or more in a day.
Will you come and organise my stuff while I'm at work?
No. I've experimented with working this way, but I don't enjoy it. I'm not a mind-reader (yet...).
I work with my clients - that way I know that the decisions made are the right ones for them. It's fine if you need to pop out to drop off or pick up your children, as long as I'm clear on what you need me to do while you're away.
I know emergencies happen, but if you can, avoid long phone-calls while we're working together. And if something crops up and you can't be there after all, please let me know and we'll reschedule.
How much does it cost?
Half Day $200*
School Day $250*
Full Day $300*
* Labour only – storage products and stationery items are extra
Frequently Asked Questions - Organising Your Clothes
What Do I Need to Do to Prepare for My Session?
Not a lot. It helps me to help you if I can see things the way they are - where things accumulate, which storage is not working. The only thing I ask is that you make your bed, so that we have a clear space in which to work.
I Want to Wait till I've Lost that Weight!
Many people feel that way, but it's good to be kind to yourself right now. Once you know and dress in your best colours, you will look younger and feel better, and you will in all likelihood get lots of compliments. People may even think you've lost weight! And ironically, many people report that once they let go of the smaller-sized clothes that they were hoping to fit into again one day, the weight mysteriously melts away.
Will I Have to Get Rid of All My Clothes if They are the Wrong Colours?
I expect that you will be intuitively wearing many of the colours that suit you best, so it's most unlikely that you'll need to replace everything!
In any case, you can replace things at your own speed, depending on your budget and the time you have for shopping. You can eliminate a few of the worst offenders, and then combine what you already have that's working for you, with a few strategic new pieces to make everything work together. While you're transitioning, you can use scarves in your best colours to keep the old, less harmonious colours away from your face.
As we explore the clothes and accessories you already have, we may discover some items that you'd forgotten you had, which will be perfect for your new look.
The advantage of working in your home is that your clothes are right there, so any questions you may have about colours and/or styles can be promptly answered.
Which Colour System do You Use?
I spent a lot of time looking at various systems of colours. I use the four-season system, as described in Carole Jackson's classic book, Colour Me Beautiful, because it made the most sense.
Depending on the undertones in the skin, each person is classified as either a warm (yellow undertones) or a cool (blue undertones). Those with warm undertones can be further divided into the seasons of Spring and Autumn, and those with cool undertones are either Summer or Winter.
Each season can be further narrowed down into one of three categories - Bright, Classic or Gentle. So there are four seasons and three categories, giving a total of twelve possibilities.
How Do I Use the Colour Swatches?
The palettes I provide give a representative selection of the colours which are most flattering to you. There are so many possible variations of colours in the world that it's impossible to include every single colour for your season. So the palettes give an idea of the families of colours which look best on you.
Take your palette shopping, and hold it up to the garment you are considering buying. It doesn't need to match the colours on your palette exactly, it just needs to tone in with it. You will get better at this over time, and eventually you'll be able to instantly recognise your colours most of the time, and only need your palette for the tricky, borderline colours.
Will there be Any Colours I Can't Wear?
You are of course free to wear any colour you wish, at any time. However, to get the benefit of knowing your best colours, you need to wear them!
Black is a "colour" which doesn't look great on most people. Those who do suit black look stunning in it. Those who don't can look pale, tired, older, and washed out. I am one of those people - I look positively ghostly and ill in black, so I am careful to avoid it!
"No one can wear all values and intensities of colour and look equally good in all, but everyone can wear all the basic colours, depending on the value, intensity and undertone which is added to the basic hue." - Colours in Harmony
How Much Will it Cost?
This is an investment in yourself, which should quite quickly pay for itself many times over in terms of avoiding mistake purchases. Your colours don't change over time, although your skin, hair, and eyes may fade a little over time; so the knowledge you'll gain will be life-long.
It depends on the service you require, and the time it takes.
If you want your whole wardrobe decluttered, it might take a full day to sort through everything (but you'll be pleased!)
A Colour Consultation only will take about an hour and a half, and you get a wallet of your best colours. The cost is $280.
A Style and Line Consultation can take up to two hours. You receive a booklet of styles. The cost is $200.
The Wardrobe Planning session may be best done in conjunction with wardrobe decluttering, but by itself, it's $200.
Colour Consultation + Wardrobe Declutter- $400.
Style & Line Consultaiton + Wardrobe Declutter - $300.
Wardrobe Planning + Declutter - $300.
Wardrobe Organisation will take longer if you have more clothes, less time if you have fewer. It's an individual thing, so I charge based on time. My standard charges are:Half Day - $200
School Day (around 6 hours) - $270
Full Day (around 7 hours) - $300.